Guantanamo jury to hear of 'oath'

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A US military judge ruled on Thursday that prosecutors can use a disputed interrogation in their case against Osama Bin Laden's former driver.

In the May 2003 interrogation, Yemeni national Salim Hamdan is said to have sworn allegiance to Osama Bin Laden.

Mr Hamdan has denied saying this. His lawyers say he was a low-level employee and made statements under duress.

He faces life in prison if convicted of conspiracy and supporting terrorism in the first Guantanamo trial.

He has pleaded not guilty and his defence team say he worked for wages, not to wage war on America.

Mr Hamdan has acknowledged working for Bin Laden in Afghanistan from 1997 to 2001 for $200 (£99) a month, but denies being part of al-Qaeda or taking part in any attacks.

His lawyers say his statements to agents were made after suffering sleep deprivation, solitary confinement and sexual humiliation.

Mr Hamdan, who was captured in Afghanistan in November 2001, is the first prisoner to be tried by the US for war crimes since World War II.

Islamic oath

The ruling by the judge, Navy Captain Keith Allred, means that Robert McFadden, an agent with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, can describe the interrogation to jurors.

Mr McFadden says the accused swore an Islamic oath to Osama Bin Laden.

"Mr Hamdan said he was convinced by the need for seeking jihad," Mr McFadden said earlier when jurors were out of the room.

Mr Hamdan never complained of abuse and appeared to enjoy the conversation, he added.

Black hole

About 270 suspects remain in detention in Guantanamo Bay.

Among the dozens of other inmates due to be tried there in the coming months are men accused of plotting the 9/11 attacks.

Human rights campaigners have accused the court of operating in a legal black hole.

They and the other accused will be watching the Hamdan proceedings closely, correspondents say.