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Obama to Charge Lone “Enemy Combatant” in US

HeadlineFeb 27, 2009

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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