Gitmo Judge Convicts U.S. General-Because He Stood Up for Detainee Rights

[babylonsister]

OUT OF ORDER
Gitmo Judge Convicts U.S. General—Because He Stood Up for Detainee Rights
Brigadier General John Baker protested the government’s surveillance of Guantanamo Bay defense lawyers. And that got him sentenced to 21 days in confinement.
Spencer Ackerman
11.01.17 5:56 PM ET


The Guantanamo Bay military tribunals on Wednesday won their first conviction without a plea deal since 2008. Only it wasn’t a terrorist who was convicted – it was a one-star Marine general sticking up for the rights of the accused to have a fair trial.

In defending the principle that attorneys ought to be able to defend their clients free from government surveillance, Brigadier General John Baker was ruled in contempt of court and sentenced to 21 days in confinement. He also must pay a $1000 fine.

Baker is a senior officer within in the highly controversial military commissions process: the Chief of Defense Counsel. Maj. Ben Sakrisson, the Pentagon spokesman for detentions, confirmed that Baker is being confined in his quarters – at Guantanamo Bay.

“The military commissions are willing to put people in jail for defending the rule of law,” Jay Connell, who represents another Guantanamo detainee facing a military commission, told The Daily Beast. “If they’re willing to put a Marine general in jail for standing up for a client’s rights, they’re willing to do just anything.”

more...

https://www.thedailybeast.com/gitmo-judge-convicts-us-generalbecause-he-stood-up-for-detainee-rights

[RainCaster]

1. This is very wrong

Rachel talked about this Wednesday. That judge is having a real superior moment.

[Tatiana]

2. And this is what happens when you set up a "quasi" judicial system.

These cases need to be transferred to our legal judicial system.

[gratuitous]

3. Well, that should sure make America great again

Shameful doesn't begin to describe it.

[Solly Mack]

4. K&R

[Hekate]

5. Saw this on Rachel M. It's a world gone mad. nt