David Hicks is an Australian citizen (and an ex-British citzen - see below), aconvert to Islam and an inmate in US custody in Cuba. Is the case against him strong, as the head American military prosecutor* at Guantánamo Bay alleges or is it weak as his own lawyer suggests?
Does it really matter? He has been in custody for five years now and there still have been no charges brought against him. He has been more or les abandoned to his fate by the Australian government and PM John Howard. The courts in Britain forced the government here to grant him citizenship which they did, grudgingly, and then revoked it hours later. He says, via his lawyer, that he has been raped and tortured whilst in American custody.
Even if the American authorities charge him in six months time as they indicate they just might do if they get around to it what will be the result? It is hard to believe that they will allow him to be found innocent but even if found guilty of something what will happen if he is sentenced to less time than he has already served? Do they beam him back in time and let him out? Do they say "sorry mate" and invite him round for a barbie after he is released?
Whatever occurs even George Bush will be hard pressed to call it justice, even though he will.
*What does a Guantánamo prosecutor do exactly? Since they never seem to charge anyone does he spend his time scuba diving, fishing and golfing?
Does it really matter? He has been in custody for five years now and there still have been no charges brought against him. He has been more or les abandoned to his fate by the Australian government and PM John Howard. The courts in Britain forced the government here to grant him citizenship which they did, grudgingly, and then revoked it hours later. He says, via his lawyer, that he has been raped and tortured whilst in American custody.
Even if the American authorities charge him in six months time as they indicate they just might do if they get around to it what will be the result? It is hard to believe that they will allow him to be found innocent but even if found guilty of something what will happen if he is sentenced to less time than he has already served? Do they beam him back in time and let him out? Do they say "sorry mate" and invite him round for a barbie after he is released?
Whatever occurs even George Bush will be hard pressed to call it justice, even though he will.
*What does a Guantánamo prosecutor do exactly? Since they never seem to charge anyone does he spend his time scuba diving, fishing and golfing?
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