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Bin Laden ex-driver found guilty | Bin Laden ex-driver found guilty |
(10 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 separate, 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. |
The White House said the trial was fair and looked forward to more tribunals. | The White House said the trial was fair and looked forward to more tribunals. |
'Vital role' | 'Vital role' |
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, 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 of conspiring with al-Qaeda to attack civilians, destroy property and commit murderProviding support for terrorism:Found guilty on five counts, including being the driver and bodyguard for Osama Bin Laden, a man he knew to be the leader of a terrorist groupFound 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. | 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. |
The jury of six military officers had deliberated for about eight hours over three days in the first US war crimes trial since World War II. | |
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. |
In its first response, the White House said Hamdan had received a "fair trial". | 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." | 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. | However, defence lawyers had said they feared a guilty verdict was inevitable and that the system was geared to convict. |
'Guilt by association' | '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. | 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 | About 270 suspects remain in detention in Guantanamo Bay |
The defence said the case was "guilt by association". | The defence said the case was "guilt by association". |
But the prosecution said Hamdan was an "uncontrollably enthusiastic warrior" for al-Qaeda. | But the prosecution said Hamdan was an "uncontrollably enthusiastic warrior" for al-Qaeda. |
About 270 suspects remain in detention in Guantanamo Bay. | 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. | Among the dozens of other inmates due to be tried there in the coming months are men accused of plotting the 9/11 attacks. |