Judge orders government disclosures on American held by U.S. military
Source: Politico
Little is known about the prisoner, who is accused of fighting for ISIS in Syria.
By JOSH GERSTEIN 11/30/2017 01:24 PM EST
A visibly frustrated federal judge ordered the government on Thursday to disclose whether an American detained by the U.S. military on suspicion of fighting for ISIS in Syria was advised of his rights to an attorney and whether he indicated that he wants to pursue legal action challenging his detention.
During an hourlong hearing in U.S. District Court in Washington, Judge Tanya Chutkan repeatedly expressed surprise and concern at the government’s stance regarding the prisoner, who has been in U.S. custody since Sept. 12 and has not been publicly identified.
When Chutkan first asked Justice Department lawyer Kathryn Wyer whether the detainee had been told of his right to an attorney, Wyer replied that the Pentagon had not provided information to the court.
“That’s not stated in the declaration,” Wyer said. “The Defense Department has not given an official statement on that,” she added, as the judge pressed the issue. “You’re not answering my question, and I’m not trying to be impatient but I’m growing impatient,” said Chutkan, an appointee of President Barack Obama. “The court feels the need for that information in order to make an adequate determination in this case. … Frankly, I’m amazed you didn’t come to this hearing with that information.”
Read more: https://www.politico.com/story/2017/11/30/government-disclosure-us-detainees-271757