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Bin Laden ex-driver found guilty Bin Laden ex-driver found guilty
(30 minutes later)
A US military jury at Guantanamo Bay has convicted Osama Bin Laden's former driver of supporting terrorism.A US military jury at Guantanamo Bay has convicted Osama Bin Laden's former driver of supporting terrorism.
The verdict on Salim Hamdan is the first to be delivered in a full war crimes trial at the US prison in Cuba. Sentencing begins later on Wednesday.The verdict on Salim Hamdan is the first to be delivered in a full war crimes trial at the US prison in Cuba. Sentencing begins later on Wednesday.
The jury found Hamdan guilty of five of eight charges of supporting terrorism but acquitted him of two other more serious charges of conspiracy. The jury found Hamdan guilty of five of eight charges of supporting terrorism but acquitted him of two separate, more serious, charges of conspiracy.
Hamdan, a Yemeni, was captured in Afghanistan in November 2001. The White House said the trial was fair and looked forward to more tribunals.
Dressed in traditional Yemeni robes, he was initially impassive when the verdict began to be read out, but the BBC's Kim Ghattas, at the trial, says he later appeared to break down in tears. 'Vital role'
Hamdan faces a maximum life sentence when the sentencing hearing gets under way later on Wednesday. Hamdan, a Yemeni, was initially impassive when the verdict began to be read out, but the BBC's Kim Ghattas, at the trial, said he later appeared to break down in tears.
HAMDAN CHARGES Conspiracy: found not guilty on two counts, including conspiring to murder US and coalition troopsProviding support for terrorism:Found guilty on five counts, including being the driver and body guard for Osama Bin LadenFound not guilty on three other counts
Hamdan, who is about 40 and was captured in Afghanistan in November 2001, faces a maximum life sentence when the sentencing hearing gets under way later on Wednesday.
Our correspondent says the case could still go as far as the Supreme Court, if there is an appeal.Our correspondent says the case could still go as far as the Supreme Court, if there is an appeal.
Defence fears The military jury had deliberated for about eight hours over three days in the first US war crimes trial since World War II.
The military jury had deliberated for about eight hours over three days.
The prosecution had said Hamdan played a "vital role" in the conspiracy behind the 9/11 attacks. But defence lawyers said he was a low-level employee.The prosecution had said Hamdan played a "vital role" in the conspiracy behind the 9/11 attacks. But defence lawyers said he was a low-level employee.
The BBC's Adam Brookes in Washington says US President George W Bush will hope to use the conclusion of the first full trial as evidence that the Guantanamo Bay system does actually work.The BBC's Adam Brookes in Washington says US President George W Bush will hope to use the conclusion of the first full trial as evidence that the Guantanamo Bay system does actually work.
However, defence lawyers had feared a guilty verdict was inevitable and said the system was geared to convict. In its first response, the White House said Hamdan had received a "fair trial".
Spokesman Tony Fratto said: "The Military Commission system is a fair and appropriate legal process... We look forward to other cases moving forward to trial."
However, defence lawyers had said they feared a guilty verdict was inevitable and that the system was geared to convict.
'Guilt by association'
Hamdan had admitted working for Bin Laden in Afghanistan from 1997 to 2001 for $200 (£99) a month, but said he worked for wages, not to make war on the US.
About 270 suspects remain in detention in Guantanamo Bay
The defence said the case was "guilt by association".
But the prosecution said Hamdan was an "uncontrollably enthusiastic warrior" for al-Qaeda.
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.