There is a old German saying: Different countries - different customs. (Andere Länder - andere Sitten)
It is common in Germany to release people after 15-20 years that would have been executed in the US. Our justice did that i.e. with the former RAF-members (a German leftist terrorist group that killed many of our compatriots). Our justice still doing it with all kinds of murderers and offenders.
Therefore it was a quite normal act to our authorities. The timing of course was complete BS.
BTW - as far as I know your executive is also bound to the valid law in the US. They have good reason not to break any legal rules. Your administration had to create such a place like Gitmo and laws like the "patriot act" to get rid of the bothering US-justice and its wide possibilities for offenders. Since Germany is no participant of the WOT of President Bush, we do not have such "infrastructure" to neutralize our legal system. Furthermore is Germany no banana republic where a "leader" can keep prisoners in a dungeon due to foreign pressure without any leagal backing. If Germany would do that it would be a real sign of weakness.
Personally I do not think that this man ever should have gone free, but we have a justice system that I and all my other compatriots have to respect. Therefore I and other Germans who take part in this discussion are in a difficult situation to argue.
What a crock of Sauerkraut. We didn't invent GTMO to circumvent our legal system. Never in our history have we given "PRISONERS OF WAR" even illegal combatants acces to our legal system. If I'm not mistaken, Germany is no different. Ever heard of Stalag 13.
And no one gives a crap if Germany wants to let killers and terrorist go free to buy themselves another day or two before the terrorist turn on them, but if this wasn't giving into the terrorist, Germany could have extradited the piece of filth.
"Gitmo" did not have to be invented. It is a prisoner of war camp - partially, and a holding place for spies. When the war is over, it will be closed.
In WWII half of those in that camp would have been shot as spies - by any side in the war. I'm of the opinion that that would be a good idea in this case as well. Now that we have them - what do we do with them?
If I were you I would leave discussion of "legality of detention camps" alone. It is not Germany's strong suit.
As far as your reading of the Patriot Act, please enlighten us - exactly how has it "neutralized our legal system"?
The WOT is not the personal property of President Bush. It is the policy of the US. Your comments reveal you a victim of the media.
You and your German Compatriots should treat this as input. We are not the ones releasing murdering terrorists - you are. We are asking for your help. You are releasing murderers of US servicemen.
We see your actions as weak, and not supportive. We understand your policy is to let murderers with life sentences free after 1/5th of a life sentence. I am saying we don't appreciate it, and it is a bad policy - especially in this case.
Look at your post - Gitmo, Patriot Act, Bush's WOT - leftist song sheet - if I were reading this - whose side would I think you are on? How - exactly - are you supporting the US?
We don't want you to be a banana republic. We want your help.