US prison in Afghanistan to hold first trial

[Robb]

Source: AP

KABUL, Afghanistan — The main U.S. prison in Afghanistan is less than a week away from an event many thought would never occur at the long-secretive holding tank for captured militants: a trial.

On June 1, a detainee will stand with a lawyer and plead his case in front of an Afghan judge, said Brig. Gen. Mark Martins, the deputy commander for detention operations.

His remark came during a tour of the prison Tuesday for a handful of Afghan lawmakers who have been critical of U.S. detention practices. The facility, which is on the edge of Bagram Air Field, opened in December and can hold up to 1,300 inmates. It replaced a smaller — and more notorious — prison that was inside the base.

The trial is one of the first tangible steps toward a pledge to hand over the facility to Afghan authorities and the latest example of a U.S. push to win over a suspicious population by being more open about what happens to the people it captures.

Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i4uhTcZYOa8Q_5sxSmrmoUgHHcJgD9FUDF580

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There are a lot of exceptions -- not all 800 prisoners are getting a trial, by any means. But it's a start.

[Flaneur]

1. It's great to be American!

We get to go halfway around the world, invade countries, build prisons, and put the locals on trial. Sweet.

'Cause we sure as hell don't do enough of that prison and trial stuff here at home.

[Robb]

2. What, no civilian deaths for you to cheer about today?

:eyes:

[Alamuti Lotus]

3. What., no triumphant victories for you to cheer about today?

Unless the utter nonsense activity mentioned above counts for that..

[Alamuti Lotus]

4. Surreal, isn't it? *nt

[ShortnFiery]

5. Bagram: The new GITMO.

http://yorick.infinitejest.org:81/1/img/card-military_tribunals.jpg http://yorick.infinitejest.org:81/1/img/card-secret_detainees.jpg