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5 Ordered Freed From Gitmo on Feds' Lack of Evidence

Governments' classified case insufficient to justify further detention

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 20, 2008 1:50 PM CST
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(Newser) – A federal judge today ordered the release of five Guantánamo Bay inmates, ruling that the US government’s evidence was not enough to justify their continued detention, the New York Times reports. The men were among the inmates who won a Supreme Court verdict in June that found they indeed had constitutional rights.

The decision by Judge Richard Leon—a Bush appointee who in 2005 ruled that Guantánamo inmates had no habeas corpus rights—is seen as a repudiation of the White House’s policies. Further, Leon urged the government not to appeal, saying that “7 years of waiting for our legal system to give them an answer” was long enough.

In this July 23, 2008 file photo, reviewed by the US military, a guard tower is visible at the detention camp at Guantanamo Bay US Naval Base in Cuba.
In this July 23, 2008 file photo, reviewed by the US military, a guard tower is visible at the detention camp at Guantanamo Bay US Naval Base in Cuba.   (AP Photo/Randall Mikkelsen, File)
In this Oct. 9, 2007 file photo, a Guantanamo guard watches over detainees, not pictured, in the exercise area at Camp 5 maximum-security facility at Guantanamo Bay US Naval Base, Cuba.
In this Oct. 9, 2007 file photo, a Guantanamo guard watches over detainees, not pictured, in the exercise area at Camp 5 maximum-security facility at Guantanamo Bay US Naval Base, Cuba.   (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley, File)
In this June 6, 2008, file photo, a guard stands at a gate at the Camp Delta detention compound, which has housed foreign prisoners since 2002, at Guantanamo Bay US Naval Base in Cuba.
In this June 6, 2008, file photo, a guard stands at a gate at the Camp Delta detention compound, which has housed foreign prisoners since 2002, at Guantanamo Bay US Naval Base in Cuba.   (AP Photo)
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The decision by Judge Leon lays bare the scandalous basis on which Guantánamo has been based—slim evidence of dubious quality. This is a tough, no-nonsense judge.
- Zachary Katznelson, Reprieve

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
Shannonals
Dec 3, 2008 3:25 AM CST
One thing to consider, seven years as a prisoner than suddenly your freed. If they weren't terrorist before, they will be now
Guest
Nov 22, 2008 2:15 AM CST
Just wait and see.
justme
Nov 21, 2008 6:33 AM CST
Wonder how soon one or more of these innocents will be back on the battlefield targeting our soldiers.

Judge finds that detention of one of the Algerians is justified
Al Jazeera

Former Guantanamo convict gains greater freedom from Australia
AFP

225 detainees remain at Guantanamo
Reuters

 
Bush administration • War on Terror • Guantanamo Bay • habeas corpus • Guantanamo prisoners • federal judges • Boumediene v. Bush • evidence

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