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| Version 6 | Version 7 |
|---|---|
| Bin Laden driver given 66 months | Bin Laden driver given 66 months |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| 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. | 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 was convicted on Wednesday of supporting terrorism, but acquitted of conspiracy to murder. |
| Prosecutors had demanded a sentence of not less than 30 years. | Prosecutors had demanded a sentence of not less than 30 years. |
| On time served Hamdan could be released in five months but the Pentagon has said he will still be retained as an "enemy combatant". | On time served Hamdan could be released in five months but the Pentagon has said he will still be retained as an "enemy combatant". |
| The US has always argued it can detain such people indefinitely, as long as its so-called war on terror continues. | The US has always argued it can detain such people indefinitely, as long as its so-called war on terror continues. |
| The Pentagon said Hamdan would serve his sentence and then be eligible for review. | The Pentagon said Hamdan would serve his sentence and then be eligible for review. |
| Regret | Regret |
| The BBC's Kim Ghattas at the trial says the sentence is a dramatic snub to the Bush administration and came after just one-and-a-half hours of deliberation. | The BBC's Kim Ghattas at the trial says the sentence is a dramatic snub to the Bush administration and came after just one-and-a-half hours of deliberation. |
| The jury of six US military officers, not the judge, imposed the sentence under the tribunal rules. | The jury of six US military officers, not the judge, imposed the sentence under the tribunal rules. |
| "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. | "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. |
| 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 HamdanTimeline: Al-Qaeda | 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 HamdanTimeline: Al-Qaeda |
| Our correspondent says Hamdan looked nervous as he walked in for sentencing but after hearing it, he told jurors: "I would like to apologise one more time to all the members and I would like to thank you for what you have done for me." | Our correspondent says Hamdan looked nervous as he walked in for sentencing but after hearing it, he told jurors: "I would like to apologise one more time to all the members and I would like to thank you for what you have done for me." |
| The judge, Navy Capt Keith Allred, told Hamdan: "I hope the day comes when you return to your wife and your daughters and your country." | |
| Hamdan, who is aged about 40, smiled as he left court and said thank you to those in the room. | Hamdan, who is aged about 40, smiled as he left court and said thank you to those in the room. |
| After the sentencing, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said: "He will serve out the rest of his sentence. At that time he will still be considered an enemy combatant. | |
| "But he will be eligible for review by an Administrative Review Board." | "But he will be eligible for review by an Administrative Review Board." |
| The boards decide annually on the threat posed by detainees and the possibility of their transfer or release. | The boards decide annually on the threat posed by detainees and the possibility of their transfer or release. |
| The White House had earlier said the trial was "fair". | The White House had earlier said the trial was "fair". |
| The defence is still likely to go ahead with the appeal it announced on Wednesday. | The defence is still likely to go ahead with the appeal it announced on Wednesday. |
| Rights groups have condemned the tribunal system. Amnesty International said it was "fundamentally flawed" and should be abandoned. | Rights groups have condemned the tribunal system. Amnesty International said it was "fundamentally flawed" and should be abandoned. |
| 'Worked for wages' | 'Worked for wages' |
| In his earlier plea 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." | In his earlier plea 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". | He said he regretted the loss of "innocent lives". |
| 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 wage 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 wage war on the US. |
| 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. |