Source:
ReutersUS top court rules against Americans held in IraqThu Jun 12, 2008 11:59am EDT
Top court allows Guantanamo prisoners’ appeals
9:51am EST
By James Vicini
WASHINGTON, June 12 (Reuters) - Federal judges cannot block U.S. military officials from turning over two Americans held in Iraq to local authorities who want to prosecute them for involvement in the insurgency or criminal activity, the Supreme Court ruled on Thursday.
The high court's decision was a defeat for two Americans who say they are innocent and who are being held by U.S. soldiers at Camp Cropper near Baghdad International Airport. Chief Justice John Roberts said in the court's opinion that the two lawsuits should have been promptly dismissed.
Their lawyers say the two men might be tortured or even killed if they are transferred to Iraqi custody and that they should have access to U.S. courts to challenge their detention and to stop their transfer to Iraqi authorities.
One case involved Mohammad Munaf, an Iraqi-American with dual citizenship. He was convicted in Iraq and sentenced to death for his suspected role in the 2005 kidnapping of three Romanian journalists. His conviction was later overturned by an Iraqi court and his case sent back for further investigation.
Read more:
http://www.reuters.com/article/middleeastCrisis/idUSN1258203