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February 27, 2009

Obama to Charge Lone “Enemy Combatant” in US
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The Obama administration is reportedly preparing to bring charges
against the only so-called “enemy combatant” jailed in the United
States. Ali Saleh Kahlah al-Marri has been held in isolation at a naval
brig in South Carolina for more than five years. He has never stood
trial or been convicted of any crime. A Supreme Court hearing
challenging his indefinite jailing is currently set for April, forcing
the administration to decide whether to continue Bush administration
policy or allow al-Marri to defend himself in a US court. Al-Marri will
reportedly be charged with providing material support to members of
al-Qaeda. His attorney, Jonathan Hafetz, said, “If true, the decision to
charge al-Marri is an important step in restoring the rule of law and is
what should have happened seven years ago when he was first arrested.”
Hafetz continued, “It is vital the Supreme Court [still] hear the
case…[to make] clear once and for all that indefinite military detention
of persons arrested in the US is illegal and that this never happens
again.”



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