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Supreme Court Dumps Suit Vs. Mueller, Ashcroft

9/11 detainee faulted FBI head, former AG over confinement rules

By the Associated Press

Posted May 18, 2009 10:29 AM CDT

(AP) – The Supreme Court says a lawsuit against FBI Director Robert Mueller and former Attorney General John Ashcroft by a former Sept. 11 detainee cannot go forward. The court today overturned a lower court decision that let Javaid Iqbal's lawsuit against the high-ranking officials proceed. Iqbal is a Pakistani Muslim who spent nearly 6 months in solitary confinement in New York in 2002.

He had argued that while Ashcroft and Mueller did not single him out for mistreatment, they were responsible for a policy of confining detainees in highly restrictive conditions because of their religious beliefs or race. But the government argued that there was nothing linking Mueller and Ashcroft to the abuses that happened to Iqbal.

Former Attorney General John Ashcroft listens to opening remarks prior to testifying on Capitol Hill, July 17, 2008, before a House Judiciary Committee hearing.
Former Attorney General John Ashcroft listens to opening remarks prior to testifying on Capitol Hill, July 17, 2008, before a House Judiciary Committee hearing.   (AP Photo)
Former Attorney General John Ashcroft is sworn in on Capitol Hill, July 17, 2008, prior to testifying before the House Judiciary Committee hearing looking into administration interrogations rules.
Former Attorney General John Ashcroft is sworn in on Capitol Hill, July 17, 2008, prior to testifying before the House Judiciary Committee hearing looking into administration interrogations rules.   (AP Photo)
President Barack Obama greets FBI Director Robert Mueller after Mueller introduced him to speak to employees at FBI headquarters in Washington, April 28, 2009.
President Barack Obama greets FBI Director Robert Mueller after Mueller introduced him to speak to employees at FBI headquarters in Washington, April 28, 2009.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
RobN
May 19, 2009 12:18 PM CDT
I was trying to find out what the court's split was on this but if you follow the link, you end up back at Newser is a non-ending circle. I'd love to respond, SPH, but I can't find enough information here to even comment upon.
kokuaguy
May 19, 2009 4:04 AM CDT
Yup, just an endless loop. This would be a good story to create a thread about. I'll do it when I get back from my movie.
kokuaguy
May 19, 2009 3:59 AM CDT
I heard on NPR that it was 5/4. There's a link to AP here. I'll see if it's working. I'm disappointed there's is such a paucity of comment from the "newsies" here-- certainly is a lot on the "accidental suicide" story.

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