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Bin Laden driver makes jury plea Bin Laden driver given 66 months
(about 3 hours later)
Prosecutors at a US military trial in Guantanamo Bay have demanded a sentence of not less than 30 years for Osama Bin Laden's former driver. Osama Bin Laden's former driver has been sentenced to five-and-a-half years in prison at the first US military trial in Guantanamo Bay.
Salim Hamdan was convicted on Wednesday of supporting terrorism but acquitted of conspiracy to murder. Salim Hamdan had been convicted on Wednesday of supporting terrorism but acquitted of conspiracy to murder.
Hamdan, a Yemeni, pleaded with the sentencing jury, saying he had only a "relationship of respect" as an employee of Bin Laden. Prosecutors had demanded a sentence of not less than 30 years but Hamdan, a Yemeni, had pleaded for leniency.
The verdict was the first in a full war crimes trial at the US prison in Cuba. The military judge earlier ruled Hamdan could have five years' credit for time served so may be free in six months.
The White House said the trial was a "fair and appropriate legal process". Regret
But the defence team has already announced an appeal. The jury of six US military officers, not the judge, imposed the sentence under the tribunal rules.
Future appeals
The jury of six US military officers, not the judge, imposes the sentence under the tribunal rules.
HAMDAN CHARGES Conspiracy:Not guilty of two counts of conspiring with al-Qaeda to attack civilians, destroy property and commit murderProviding support for terrorism: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 group. Not guilty on three other counts Profile: Salim HamdanSend us your commentsTimeline: Al-QaedaHAMDAN CHARGES Conspiracy:Not guilty of two counts of conspiring with al-Qaeda to attack civilians, destroy property and commit murderProviding support for terrorism: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 group. Not guilty on three other counts Profile: Salim HamdanSend us your commentsTimeline: Al-Qaeda
Future appeals can lower but not increase the sentence. "It is my duty as president [of the jury] to inform you that this military commission sentences you to be confined for 66 months," a juror told Hamdan.
In his appeal to the jury, Hamdan said in a prepared statement: "It's true there are work opportunities in Yemen, but not at the level I needed after I got married and not to the level of ambitions that I had in my future." In his earlier appeal for leniency to the jury, Hamdan said in a prepared statement: "It's true there are work opportunities in Yemen, but not at the level I needed after I got married and not to the level of ambitions that I had in my future."
He said he regretted the loss of "innocent lives".
The White House earlier said the trial was "fair", although the defence team had announced an appeal after the conviction.
Hamdan, who is aged about 40, 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 wage war on the US.Hamdan, who is aged about 40, 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 wage war on the US.
Convicting him on five counts of aiding terrorism, the jury accepted he was a member of al-Qaeda who had served as Bin Laden's armed bodyguard and driver while knowing that the al-Qaeda leader was plotting attacks against the US.Convicting him on five counts of aiding terrorism, the jury accepted he was a member of al-Qaeda who had served as Bin Laden's armed bodyguard and driver while knowing that the al-Qaeda leader was plotting attacks against the US.
But he was found not guilty on three other counts of aiding terrorism, alleging that he knew that his work would be used for terrorism and that he provided surface-to-air missiles to al-Qaeda.But he was found not guilty on three other counts of aiding terrorism, alleging that he knew that his work would be used for terrorism and that he provided surface-to-air missiles to al-Qaeda.
He was also cleared of two charges of conspiracy, alleging that he was part of the al-Qaeda effort to attack the US - the most serious charges he faced.He was also cleared of two charges of conspiracy, alleging that he was part of the al-Qaeda effort to attack the US - the most serious charges he faced.
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.