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Guilty plea from detainee Hicks Guilty plea from detainee Hicks
(9 minutes later)
Australian detainee David Hicks has pleaded guilty at a military court at Guantanamo Bay to charges of providing material support for terrorism.Australian detainee David Hicks has pleaded guilty at a military court at Guantanamo Bay to charges of providing material support for terrorism.
The 31-year-old Muslim convert was accused of attending al-Qaeda training camps and fighting with the Taleban.The 31-year-old Muslim convert was accused of attending al-Qaeda training camps and fighting with the Taleban.
The plea means that Hicks, who has been at the camp for five years, will return to Australia to serve his sentence.The plea means that Hicks, who has been at the camp for five years, will return to Australia to serve his sentence.
Hicks is the first detainee at the detention camp to face terror charges under new US rules.Hicks is the first detainee at the detention camp to face terror charges under new US rules.
There were handshakes, hugs and tears ... He looks bloody terrible Terry HicksDavid Hicks' fatherThere were handshakes, hugs and tears ... He looks bloody terrible Terry HicksDavid Hicks' father
He was charged under the new Military Commissions Act, which human rights groups condemn.He was charged under the new Military Commissions Act, which human rights groups condemn.
'Earliest opportunity''Earliest opportunity'
Hicks appeared at the hearing wearing khaki prison fatigues and with hair down to his chest - grown, his lawyer said, to pull over his eyes at night to keep out the light and allow him to get to sleep.Hicks appeared at the hearing wearing khaki prison fatigues and with hair down to his chest - grown, his lawyer said, to pull over his eyes at night to keep out the light and allow him to get to sleep.
As the proceedings got under way, Hicks was formally charged and initially deferred entering a plea.As the proceedings got under way, Hicks was formally charged and initially deferred entering a plea.
But later on his lawyers told the judge he was pleading guilty.But later on his lawyers told the judge he was pleading guilty.
Other charges against him, including attempted murder, have been dropped.
Prosecution and defence lawyers now have until 1600 on Tuesday (2000GMT) to reach agreement on a plea deal establishing his sentence.Prosecution and defence lawyers now have until 1600 on Tuesday (2000GMT) to reach agreement on a plea deal establishing his sentence.
Profile: David Hicks Q&A: Military tribunalsProfile: David Hicks Q&A: Military tribunals
US and Australian authorities have already agreed that Hicks will serve out his sentence in his native country.US and Australian authorities have already agreed that Hicks will serve out his sentence in his native country.
On Sunday, one of Hicks' lawyers, David McLeod, had said his client was looking at a plea bargain. He faces a maximum sentence of life but after strong pressure from the Australian government there is speculation that he will receive a shorter sentence.
"All of the options obviously have to be discussed, from not guilty and tough it out, through to 'How do I get out of here at the earliest opportunity'," he said.
But he said that the five years his client had spent at the Cuban base had "begun to take a toll".
Before the hearing, which was opened to members of the press, Hicks was allowed a two-hour reunion with his father and sister.Before the hearing, which was opened to members of the press, Hicks was allowed a two-hour reunion with his father and sister.
He last saw his father, Terry, at a previous hearing in August 2004.He last saw his father, Terry, at a previous hearing in August 2004.
"There were handshakes, hugs and tears," Terry Hicks told journalists. "He looks bloody terrible.""There were handshakes, hugs and tears," Terry Hicks told journalists. "He looks bloody terrible."
CriticismCriticism
David Hicks arrived in Guantanamo Bay in early 2002 after being captured in Afghanistan a month earlier.David Hicks arrived in Guantanamo Bay in early 2002 after being captured in Afghanistan a month earlier.
The former farm hand and kangaroo skinner was charged and started a trial process previously in August 2004.The former farm hand and kangaroo skinner was charged and started a trial process previously in August 2004.
However, the US Supreme Court last year ruled the system unconstitutional.However, the US Supreme Court last year ruled the system unconstitutional.
The administration of President George W Bush then tabled a revised tribunal system that was passed by Congress.The administration of President George W Bush then tabled a revised tribunal system that was passed by Congress.
Hicks is the first person to be tried under the new procedures. Two others, Omar Khadr, a Canadian, and Salim Ahmed Hamdan, from Yemen, have been indicted but have not yet been read sworn charges, Cmdr Durand said.Hicks is the first person to be tried under the new procedures. Two others, Omar Khadr, a Canadian, and Salim Ahmed Hamdan, from Yemen, have been indicted but have not yet been read sworn charges, Cmdr Durand said.
The US has said it plans to use the new system to prosecute about 80 of the remaining 385-or-so prisoners at the camp.The US has said it plans to use the new system to prosecute about 80 of the remaining 385-or-so prisoners at the camp.
Human rights campaign group Amnesty International has condemned the tribunals as "shabby show trials" and demanded that detainees be tried under the regular US judicial system.Human rights campaign group Amnesty International has condemned the tribunals as "shabby show trials" and demanded that detainees be tried under the regular US judicial system.