Defense Teams Challenge Guantanamo Trials

[Bossy Monkey]

Oct 31, 7:52 PM EST

Defense Teams Challenge Guantanamo Trials

By PAISLEY DODDS
Associated Press Writer

GUANTANAMO BAY NAVAL BASE, Cuba (AP) -- In a challenge that could make or break upcoming trials by a special military commission, defense lawyers are moving to dismiss terrorism charges against Osama bin Laden's chauffeur and an Australian cowboy who joined the Taliban.

Hearings on the motions beginning Monday will test the boundaries of international law on the eve of U.S. elections that could ultimately change the mission that has detained some 550 terror suspects from more than 40 countries in a U.S. military base in Cuba, most without access to lawyers or official charges.

Only four of the detainees, classified as enemy combatants, have been charged with war crimes and face trials before a special three-member military panel starting in December.

The first pre-trial hearing is for David Hicks, an Australian cowboy who joined Afghanistan's ousted Taliban regime. He is charged with attempted murder, aiding the enemy and conspiracy to attack civilians, commit terrorism and destroy property. Hicks has pleaded innocent.

(more)
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/G/GUANTANAMO_TRIALS?SITE=SCCOL&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

[knowbody0]

1. the cowboy

was not knowledgeable of the 911 attacks.