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9/11 Executions Could Take Place in Gitmo

Military rules changed allowing executions far from federal courts

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 13, 2008 7:54 AM CST
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(Newser) – Six 9/11 suspects detained at Gitmo could be executed at the controversial prison compound if found guilty, legal experts say. Military regulations used to require that executions take place at Fort Leavenworth in Kansas, but that rule was amended two years ago to allow prisoners to be executed in "other places." The creation of a Guantanamo Bay execution chamber would keep the men largely out of the reach of US courts, experts believe.

"I think that's the administration's idea, to use Guantanamo as a base to not be under the umbrella of the federal district courts," said a former Navy attorney. US officials have announced that they will seek the death penalty against the suspects. Any executions would be certain to cause international outrage, although the AP reports that US diplomats have been instructed to remind critics that Nazi war criminals were executed after the Nuremberg trials.

This undated image made available by the U.S. District Court shows Ali Abd al-Aziz Ali, also known as Ammar Al-Baluchi. On Monday, Feb. 11, 2008, the Pentagon charged six Guantanamo Bay detainees, including Ali Abd al-Aziz Ali, with murder and war crimes for the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks....
This undated image made available by the U.S. District Court shows Ali Abd al-Aziz Ali, also known as Ammar Al-Baluchi. On Monday, Feb. 11, 2008, the Pentagon charged six Guantanamo Bay detainees, including...   (Associated Press)
Brig. Gen. Thomas Hartmann gestures during a news conference at the Pentagon, Monday, Feb. 11, 2008, where he announced that the Pentagon has charged six detainees at Guantanamo Bay with murder and war crimes in connection with the Sept. 11 attacks. (AP Photo/Heesoon Yim)
Brig. Gen. Thomas Hartmann gestures during a news conference at the Pentagon, Monday, Feb. 11, 2008, where he announced that the Pentagon has charged six detainees at Guantanamo Bay with murder and war...   (Associated Press)
In this image reviewed by the U.S. Military, a razor-wired fence is shown above the Camp Delta 2 and (AP Photo/Haraz Ghanbari, File)
In this image reviewed by the U.S. Military, a razor-wired fence is shown above the Camp Delta 2 and (AP Photo/Haraz Ghanbari, File)   (Associated Press)
An exterior view of the complex where Guantanamo Bay detainees will face trial. If they are sentenced to death, legal experts say they could be executed at Guantanamo Bay, out of the reach of US courts.
An exterior view of the complex where Guantanamo Bay detainees will face trial. If they are sentenced to death, legal experts say they could be executed at Guantanamo Bay, out of the reach of US courts.   (Getty Images (by Event) Individuals)
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Trials may not even have started when Bush leaves office
Press Association

Military justice system could be on trial
Los Angeles Times

Diplomats told to compare trials to Nuremberg
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US • World

 
execution • US military • capital punishment • September 11 • Guantanamo Bay • execution chamber • Fort Leavenworth

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