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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| US terror charges for Australian | US terror charges for Australian |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A US military judge has filed terror charges against an Australian held without trial at Guantanamo Bay for five years. | A US military judge has filed terror charges against an Australian held without trial at Guantanamo Bay for five years. |
| David Hicks, 31, is charged with "providing material support for terrorism", a Pentagon statement said. | David Hicks, 31, is charged with "providing material support for terrorism", a Pentagon statement said. |
| The decision comes despite Australian officials asking the United States not to bring such charges. | The decision comes despite Australian officials asking the United States not to bring such charges. |
| Mr Hicks was detained in Afghanistan, where he allegedly fought alongside the ruling Taleban against US-led forces. | |
| 'Enemy combatant' | |
| Mr Hicks will be the first Guantanamo Bay detainee to be charged under a new US law authorising special military trials of "enemy combatants". | Mr Hicks will be the first Guantanamo Bay detainee to be charged under a new US law authorising special military trials of "enemy combatants". |
| A preliminary hearing is expected to be held within 30 days and a jury trial will start within 120 days in accordance with the Military Commissions Act of 2006. | A preliminary hearing is expected to be held within 30 days and a jury trial will start within 120 days in accordance with the Military Commissions Act of 2006. |
| Mr Hicks pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy, attempted murder and aiding the enemy before a US military tribunal in 2004, but the charges were dropped when the US Supreme Court ruled that the judicial process was unlawful. | Mr Hicks pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy, attempted murder and aiding the enemy before a US military tribunal in 2004, but the charges were dropped when the US Supreme Court ruled that the judicial process was unlawful. |
| US Vice-President Dick Cheney has said that Mr Hicks would serve his sentence in Australia if convicted. | |
| Both Mr Hicks' lawyers and family have been pushing for a resolution to his situation, saying they fear for his mental health after such a long time in detention without trial. |