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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| US judge blocks Guantanamo move | US judge blocks Guantanamo move |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| A US federal judge has blocked the US military from sending a Guantanamo Bay detainee to Tunisia because of allegations he would be tortured. | A US federal judge has blocked the US military from sending a Guantanamo Bay detainee to Tunisia because of allegations he would be tortured. |
| It would be a "profound miscarriage of justice" to transfer Mohammed Abdul Rahman ahead of a Supreme Court ruling on detainee rights, the judge said. | It would be a "profound miscarriage of justice" to transfer Mohammed Abdul Rahman ahead of a Supreme Court ruling on detainee rights, the judge said. |
| Human rights groups say the ruling is unprecedented, and the first direct intervention by a judge in such a case. | Human rights groups say the ruling is unprecedented, and the first direct intervention by a judge in such a case. |
| Tunisia has denied Mr Abdul Rahman's claims that it practises torture. | Tunisia has denied Mr Abdul Rahman's claims that it practises torture. |
| However, a report by the US state department published earlier this year said the Tunisian government continued "to commit serious human rights abuses". | However, a report by the US state department published earlier this year said the Tunisian government continued "to commit serious human rights abuses". |
| Citing human rights groups, the report said the Tunisian security forces used sleep deprivation, electric shocks, submersion of the head in water, beatings and cigarette burns. | Citing human rights groups, the report said the Tunisian security forces used sleep deprivation, electric shocks, submersion of the head in water, beatings and cigarette burns. |
| 'Irreparable harm' | 'Irreparable harm' |
| In her ruling, Washington DC District Judge Gladys Kessler said that Mr Abdul Rahman could not be transferred because he might suffer "devastating and irreparable harm". | In her ruling, Washington DC District Judge Gladys Kessler said that Mr Abdul Rahman could not be transferred because he might suffer "devastating and irreparable harm". |
| The executive has now been told it cannot bury its Guantanamo mistakes in third world prisons Joshua DenbeauxMohammed Abdul Rahman's lawyer The US Supreme Court is due to rule on whether inmates can mount challenge in civilian courts. | The executive has now been told it cannot bury its Guantanamo mistakes in third world prisons Joshua DenbeauxMohammed Abdul Rahman's lawyer The US Supreme Court is due to rule on whether inmates can mount challenge in civilian courts. |
| "In view of the grave harm Rahman has alleged he will face if transferred, it would be a profound miscarriage of justice if this court denied the motion," the judge said. | "In view of the grave harm Rahman has alleged he will face if transferred, it would be a profound miscarriage of justice if this court denied the motion," the judge said. |
| Mr Abdul Rahman has a heart condition and he argued that the 20-year prison sentence awaiting him in Tunisia could amount to a death sentence. | Mr Abdul Rahman has a heart condition and he argued that the 20-year prison sentence awaiting him in Tunisia could amount to a death sentence. |
| Mr Abdul Rahman's lawyer praised the ruling, which he said was the first time the courts had acted to control the treatment of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay. | Mr Abdul Rahman's lawyer praised the ruling, which he said was the first time the courts had acted to control the treatment of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay. |
| "The executive has now been told it cannot bury its Guantanamo mistakes in third world prisons," Joshua Denbeaux told the Associated Press. | "The executive has now been told it cannot bury its Guantanamo mistakes in third world prisons," Joshua Denbeaux told the Associated Press. |
| Repatriation | Repatriation |
| A US justice department spokesman, Erik Ablin, said the government had argued that the district court did not have jurisdiction over the case. | |
| Quick guide: Guantanamo | Quick guide: Guantanamo |
| The government was now considering its options, he said. | The government was now considering its options, he said. |
| There are about 340 detainees still being held at Guantanamo, according to the Pentagon. It has transferred or released approximately 445 detainees to other countries. | There are about 340 detainees still being held at Guantanamo, according to the Pentagon. It has transferred or released approximately 445 detainees to other countries. |
| A Pentagon spokeswoman said it tried to ensure detainees were not abused when they were returned to their home states. | A Pentagon spokeswoman said it tried to ensure detainees were not abused when they were returned to their home states. |
| "Detainees are not repatriated to countries where it is more likely than not that they will be tortured," spokeswoman Cynthia Smith said. | "Detainees are not repatriated to countries where it is more likely than not that they will be tortured," spokeswoman Cynthia Smith said. |