This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/6510899.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Hicks gets Guantanamo plea deal Hicks gets Guantanamo plea deal
(about 1 hour later)
Australian David Hicks has made a plea bargain limiting his jail term for aiding al-Qaeda to seven years, a US tribunal at Guantanamo Bay has heard. Australian David Hicks faces a maximum sentence of seven years in jail for aiding al-Qaeda, as part of a plea deal at a Guantanamo Bay military tribunal.
Hicks will serve his term in Australia. It is not clear if it includes the five years already spent at the prison camp. The judge formally accepted Hicks's guilty plea to providing material support for terrorism, as part of an agreement limiting his sentence.
Hicks, 31, pleaded guilty on Monday to providing material support for terrorism, in the first case to be heard by the special tribunals. Under the deal, Hicks also withdrew claims he was abused in US detention.
This time, the Muslim convert had freshly-cut short hair and wore a suit. He will serve his term in Australia. It is in addition to the five years he has already spent at the prison camp.
A military judge announced the terms of the agreement at a hearing on whether to accept Hicks' guilty plea. The 31-year-old pleaded guilty on Monday to providing material support for terrorism, in the first case to be heard by the special tribunals.
Because of the plea, the prosecution team indicated Hicks would face "substantially less" than the 20-year sentence previously sought.
Profile: David Hicks Q&A: Military tribunalsProfile: David Hicks Q&A: Military tribunals
Hicks was led into the hearing by two guards. Instead of a prison uniform, he was wearing a suit and his hair, which had grown down his back, was cut short. At Friday's hearing, Hicks had to convince the military judge that his guilty plea was genuine and not just a tactic to return home to Adelaide, where he will serve his sentence.
Because of his guilty plea, the prosecution team earlier indicated that Hicks would face "substantially less" than the 20-year sentence previously sought.
The transfer from Guantanamo Bay is to take place within 60 days of sentencing, which is expected to be announced at the weekend.
Previous allegations
Hicks was led into the hearing by two guards. Instead of the prison uniform that he wore earlier in the week he was wearing a suit, and his hair, which had grown down his back, was cut short.
Showing little emotion, the Australian confirmed he had attended al-Qaeda training camps in Afghanistan and had fought with the Taleban in 2001, under the alias Abu Muslim Australia.Showing little emotion, the Australian confirmed he had attended al-Qaeda training camps in Afghanistan and had fought with the Taleban in 2001, under the alias Abu Muslim Australia.
The judge, Marine Colonel Ralph Kohlmann, read a list of the acts Hicks had admitted to, and asked him to confirm each. Hicks answered "yes, sir" or "it's good" to all. The military judge asked him if he understood the facts of his plea and if he believed the tribunal could prove the charge beyond reasonable doubt - to which Hicks replied: "Yes, sir".
The detainee said he had had the opportunity to review notes made by his interrogators. Under the plea bargain, Hicks also agreed to withdraw allegations he had been abused during his detention by the US military.
To finalise the agreement, Hicks must convince the judge that his guilty plea is genuine and not just a tactic to return home. Hicks affirmed he had "never been illegally treated by any persons in the control or custody of the United States" before or after his transfer to Guantanamo in 2002.
Under a prisoner-exchange deal between the US and Australia, Hicks will serve out his sentence in a prison in his home town of Adelaide. The Australian had previously alleged he was beaten by US forces after his capture in Afghanistan and that he had been sedated before learning of the charges against him.
ConcernConcern
Hicks' father, Terry, has said his son made the guilty plea in order to return to Australia. Hicks's father, Terry, has said his son made the guilty plea in order to return to Australia.
Hicks' hearing, which opened on Monday, was the first under a new military tribunal system introduced for the detainees, a system which has been condemned by human rights groups. Hicks's hearing was the first under a new military tribunal system introduced for the detainees, a system which has been condemned by human rights groups.
Australian Prime Minister John Howard said earlier this week that he welcomed the progress towards the resolution of Hicks' case, although he expressed concern over the amount of time it had taken.Australian Prime Minister John Howard said earlier this week that he welcomed the progress towards the resolution of Hicks' case, although he expressed concern over the amount of time it had taken.
But the Center for Constitutional Rights, which represents many of the detainees, condemned the proceedings.But the Center for Constitutional Rights, which represents many of the detainees, condemned the proceedings.
The US has said it plans to use the new tribunal system to prosecute about 80 of 385 prisoners remaining at the camp.The US has said it plans to use the new tribunal system to prosecute about 80 of 385 prisoners remaining at the camp.