Guantanamo trials to go ahead despite court ruling

Published on Friday 13 June 2008 10:50

UNITED States attorney general Michael Mukasey today insisted military trials of foreign detainees at Guantanamo Bay would go ahead despite a ruling by the US Supreme Court.

The court ruled yesterday that the detainees have constitutional rights and can appeal to civilian courts.

And lawyers for two of those due to go on trial – an alleged September 11 2001 plotter and Osama bin Laden's former driver – said they would use the ruling to argue that charges against their clients should be dismissed.

But Mr Mukasey said the ruling would not affect the Guantanamo trials.

Some 270 men are held at Guantanamo, on suspicion of terrorism.

Navy Lt Cmdr Brian Mizer said he would try to stop the first scheduled war crimes trial, to start on July 14, by arguing that his client was denied his constitutional right to a speedy trial.

He is defending bin Laden's former driver, Salim Hamdan.

"The entire legal framework under which Mr Hamdan was to be tried has been turned on its head," Lt Cmdr Mizer said.

The ruling could have consequences for the five alleged September 11 conspirators, who were arraigned at Guantanamo last week.