Posted on 01/11/2006 7:20:10 PM PST by SmithL
GUANTANAMO BAY NAVAL BASE, Cuba -- A Yemeni man accused of being Osama bin Laden's former bodyguard told a U.S. military tribunal Wednesday he regarded Americans as enemies and announced he would boycott the hearings, which proceeded anyway.
Led into the courtroom by two U.S. soldiers, Guantanamo detention center detainee Ali Hamza Ahmad Sulayman al Bahlul announced he was boycotting the proceedings, saying he could not appoint his own lawyer, that secret evidence can be withheld from detainees and that the United States was "an enemy to the nation of Muslims."
"I am boycotting all sessions, even if I'm forced to be present," said a calm al Bahlul, who is accused of belonging to al-Qaida, before removing his translation headphones.
Al Bahlul, who wasn't handcuffed, held up a sign written in Arabic that read "boycott." He signed the paper, dated it and presented it to Brownback. He later removed his translating headphones.
Army Col. Peter E. Brownback, the presiding officer, denied al Bahlul's request to represent himself and set a May 15 trial date. Al Bahlul is charged with conspiring with al-Qaida members to commit war crimes, including attacking civilians, and faces other conspiracy charges.
Prosecutors charge that al Bahlul was ordered by bin Laden, the leader of the al-Qaida terrorist network, to create a video glorifying the group's October 2000 attack on the destroyer USS Cole in Yemen that killed 17 American sailors.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
Indicate in the transcript that the terrorist pleaded "No Contest" and then execute him.
Since we're his enemy case closed.
Yeah.....let me know how that works out for ya Ali.
""I am boycotting all sessions, even if I'm forced to be present," said a calm al Bahlul, who is accused of belonging to al-Qaida"
Cool!
Bring in the rope.
GUILTY as charged!
Why do prisoners get to boycott anything? Since when aren't they brought to court anyway...in chains. (probably since the 1800s ;l)
Fry him.
How do you boycott a trial?
That's like boycotting grapes as they're being shoved down your throat.
Time to bring in the pigs!
Does the name McCain ring a bell?
Since they do not fight openly in uniform, choosing to hide behind women and children, they should be treated as spies rather than soldiers.
Yes. Appoint Dick Cheney as his Public Defender and let's get on with the trial.
Well...I'm really shocked to be regarded as his enemy.
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