People rally for Hicks's return

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The father of Guantanamo Bay detainee David Hicks will lead a rally in Adelaide today in a bid to end his son's detention.

This weekend marks five years since Mr Hicks was detained and his supporters have called for a national day of action around the country.

Terry Hicks says he hopes the rally will pressure South Australian Liberal MPs to help to bring his son back to Australia for what he says would be a fair trial.

The rally will hear from children's writer Mem Fox, Adelaide lawyer Brian Deegan, who lost his son in the Bali bombings, and the Hicks's family lawyer, Stephen Kenny.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200612/s1807859.htm

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1. Hicks finally to be charged after Christmas, says Ruddock's office

http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2006/12/09/hicksprotest_wideweb__470x312,0.jpg
Bring him home ... Mamdouh Habib at the Sydney rally yesterday.

DAVID Hicks will be charged soon after January 17 when new regulations for the US military commission expected to try him come into effect, says Attorney-General Philip Ruddock.

As supporters attended rallies around Australia to mark the fifth anniversary of Hicks's detention, a spokesman for Mr Ruddock said approaches to the US to bring him home would not be made yet.

Greens senator Kerry Nettle told the Sydney rally held to press for Hicks's release before the next federal election, due in late 2007.

Senator Nettle vowed to introduce a motion in Parliament calling for Hicks's release every day until then.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/hicks-finally-to-be-charged-after-christmas/2006/12/09/1165081201709.html