US/Guantanamo

US tries Bin Laden's driver for war crimes

Article published on the 2008-07-22 Latest update 2008-07-23 10:21 TU

US Attorney General Michael Mukasey
(Credit: Rueters)

Opening arguments began Tuesday for Osama bin Laden's former driver, Salim Hamdan. He is currently before a special military tribunal at the US base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba after pleading not guilty to charges of conspiracy and material support for terrorism. It is the first American war crimes trial since World War II.

The trial is expected to last at least two weeks. If convicted, Salim Ahmed Hamdan could get life imprisonment.

US Attorney General Michael Mukasey has called on Congress to draft legislation to control the numerous legal cases from terror suspects challenging their Guantanamo detention.

Mukasey has also asked for a law to bar terror suspects from entering the US.

The US legal system is already profoundly unfair, according to Hina Shamsi, a staff attorney at the American Civil Liberties Union in New York.

"In preparation for trial, the defence may not see secret evidence the government may have against him, thus, very negatively impacting his ability to defend himself and work with his lawyers," she said.