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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2009
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Judge Demands Speedy Trial for Gitmo Prisoners

After 7 years, it's 'time to move cases forward'

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(Newser) – A federal judge coordinating 200 Guantanamo Bay cases has ordered the Justice Department to set aside all other work to give the detainees their day in court as soon as possible. "The time has come to move these forward," he ruled. A Justice Department attorney asked for eight weeks to start turning over evidence so the government can "present its best case." 

But the judge complained that if the evidence "wasn't sufficient" when inmates were first imprisoned "then they shouldn't have been picked up." Cases could begin as early as September. Some 270 inmates have been held at Guantanamo for nearly seven years. "A day in court on the Guantanamo cases is a treasured moment," said a pleased defense attorney.

A Guantanamo detainee on the grounds of the maximum security prison at Guantanamo Bay. Lawsuits filed by 200 inmates are about to reach federal courts.
A Guantanamo detainee on the grounds of the maximum security prison at Guantanamo Bay. Lawsuits filed by 200 inmates are about to reach federal courts.   (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)
A detainee peers through a hole used to allow food and other items into detainee cells at Guantanamo Bay. Hundreds of inmates are challenging their detention in US courts.
A detainee peers through a hole used to allow food and other items into detainee cells at Guantanamo Bay. Hundreds of inmates are challenging their detention in US courts.   (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley,File)
US District Court Judge Thomas F. Hogan, right, has ordered the Justice Department to set aside other cases and make lawsuits filed by Guantanamo Bay inmates a priority.
US District Court Judge Thomas F. Hogan, right, has ordered the Justice Department to set aside other cases and make lawsuits filed by Guantanamo Bay inmates a priority.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
A Guantanamo detainee walks in a fenced-in exercise area on the grounds of the maximum security prison at Camp 5, at Guantanamo Bay.
A Guantanamo detainee walks in a fenced-in exercise area on the grounds of the maximum security prison at Camp 5, at Guantanamo Bay.   (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)
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ANALYSIS

No Clear Way for US to Prosecute Gitmo Prisoners

Experts split on whether to use federal courts or military commissions

Oct 29, 09 11:11 PM CDT
(Newser) - President Obama is edging closer to his goal of closing the Guantanamo Bay prison: Congress has approved detainee trials on US soil and the National Defense Authorization Act, passed yesterday, attempts to repair the damaged legality of President Bush’s military-commissions system. But hurdles remain, with legal scholars split on... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Bush administration • terrorism • military tribunal • Guantanamo Bay • detainee • Human Rights Watch • Guantanamo prisoners • Obama administration • President Obama • National Defense Authorization Act

 Stars Demand 
 Bush 'Music 
 Torture' Files 

Time for torturers to face the music, say celebs

Oct 22, 09 2:55 AM CDT
(Newser) - A coalition of celebrity musicians is demanding the release of Bush administration documents revealing how music was used to torture Guantanamo Bay inmates. Songs from Metallica, The Real Slim Shady, and the Star Spangled Banner, among many others, were blasted all day for days on end to rattle prisoners, inmates... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Bush administration • music • torture • Eminem • Guantanamo Bay • prisoners • country music • Guantanamo prisoners • Metallica • heavy metal • David Byrne • Rage Against the Machine • Tom Morello • Bonnie Raitt

Senate OKs US Trials for Gitmo Prisoners

Obama expected to
sign measure aimed at speeding jail's closure

Oct 20, 09 7:54 PM CDT
(AP) - President Obama won a modest victory today in his continuing effort to close the Guantanamo Bay prison in Cuba and allowing the government to continue to transfer detainees to the US for prosecution. The plan to permit terror suspects to be shipped to U.S. soil to face trial passed... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Senate • House of Representatives • Guantanamo Bay • Guantanamo prisoners • terror trial • President Obama

(AP) - The Supreme Court will hear a new case about the rights of Guantanamo detainees, this time involving prisoners who remain in custody even after the Pentagon determines they're not a threat to the United States, the court said today. Last year, the court said in a 5-4 ruling that federal... More »

MORE ABOUT:
China • Guantanamo Bay • US Supreme Court • Uighurs • Obama administration • Bermuda • Palau

OPINION

 Bush AG: 
 Court Terror 
 Trials Too 
 Dangerous 

Challenges to security, secrecy would be 'overwhelming'

Oct 19, 09 4:40 AM CDT
(Newser) - The Obama administration wants to try alleged 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and other Guantanamo detainees in federal courts—and that's a major mistake, says Michael Mukasey. Terrorism trials pose "overwhelming" security challenges, and classified information would have to be revealed, warns George Bush's relatively moderate third attorney general... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Guantanamo Bay • Khalid Sheikh Mohammed • Michael Mukasey • Guantanamo prisoners • al-Qaeda • attorney general • 9/11 attacks • Guantanamo tribunals

153 Stories


Gitmo cases to start with detainees held first
Washington Times

Bush lawyers told to speed Guantanamo appeals
McClatchy Newspapers

'No progress' on mass Guantanamo prisoner transfer
Associated Press


US  •  Crime & Courts 
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Department of Justice • Judge Thomas Hogan • Guantanamo Bay • Guantanamo prisoners • Center for Constitutional Rights • US Supreme Court

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