Guantanamo: U.S. Supreme Court nixes military tribunals

[Al-khiyal]

The U.S. Supreme Court sided with a Guantanamo Bay detainee on Thursday, ruling 5-3 that President Bush does not have the authority to order military trials for foreign detainees at the camp. Chief Justice John Roberts did not take part in the ruling because of his previous work on behalf of the Bush administration. The case involves Salim Ahmed Hamdan, a former driver for Osama bin Laden, who faces trial before a military tribunal on charges of conspiracy to commit terror acts against the United States. Hamdan wanted to be tried in federal court - or court-martialed by the U.S. military - so he would be afforded the same rights that Americans enjoy under the U.S. system of justice. But the Bush administration wanted to set up special military panels to try the suspects - who in that case, would not have the same rights as they would if they were tried in U.S. courts. The Supreme Court reportedly ruled that the military tribunals violate the procedures set forth in the Geneva Convention, which governs prisoners of war. According to the Associated Press, the ruling is a "rebuke to the administration and its aggressive anti-terror policies." Justice John Paul Stevens wrote for the majority.


>>>Source<<<

Guantanamo tribunals illegal

U.S. Supreme Court blocks war crimes trials for Guantanamo detainees

[Al-khiyal]

Hamdan v. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, et al

Certiorari to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia circuit

No. 05-184. Argued March 28, 2006 - Decided June 29, 2006