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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Guantanamo Canadian case dropped | Guantanamo Canadian case dropped |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A US military judge has dropped charges against a Canadian held at Guantanamo Bay, saying he could not be tried under new laws governing military tribunals. | A US military judge has dropped charges against a Canadian held at Guantanamo Bay, saying he could not be tried under new laws governing military tribunals. |
| Omar Khadr was just 15 years old when he was captured in Afghanistan. | Omar Khadr was just 15 years old when he was captured in Afghanistan. |
| He appeared in court charged with murder, attempted murder, conspiracy and providing support for terrorism. | He appeared in court charged with murder, attempted murder, conspiracy and providing support for terrorism. |
| But the judge ruled he could not be tried under current laws because he was not classified as an "unlawful" enemy combatant in previous hearings. | But the judge ruled he could not be tried under current laws because he was not classified as an "unlawful" enemy combatant in previous hearings. |
| The charges were dismissed "without prejudice", said Col Peter Brownback, the presiding judge. | The charges were dismissed "without prejudice", said Col Peter Brownback, the presiding judge. |
| Tribunal issue | |
| Mr Khadr had been classified as an "enemy combatant" under a previous tribunal system that was eventually thrown out in 2006 by the US Supreme Court. | Mr Khadr had been classified as an "enemy combatant" under a previous tribunal system that was eventually thrown out in 2006 by the US Supreme Court. |
| But under new legislation approved by President George W Bush, only detainees classified as "unlawful enemy combatants" can face trial at Guantanamo Bay. | But under new legislation approved by President George W Bush, only detainees classified as "unlawful enemy combatants" can face trial at Guantanamo Bay. |
| The defendant appeared in court on Monday wearing a prison uniform, light sandals and a straggly beard, reports said. | |
| He is accused of killing a US soldier during a battle at a suspected al-Qaeda base in 2002. | |
| The judge left open the possibility that Mr Khadr could be re-charged if he appeared before an official review panel and was formally classified as an "unlawful" enemy combatant. |