Supreme court grants Guantanamo appeals
Guantanamo Bay: Home to hundreds of detainees
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Friday, 29, Jun 2007 08:10
The US supreme court has agreed to hear the cases of prisoners held indefinitely at Guantanamo Bay.
Hundreds of men suspected of involvement in terrorist activities have been held at the US army's detention centre in Cuba without trial since the September 11th 2001 terror attacks.
Their continued detention has been one key aspect of president George Bush's war on terror.
Earlier this year the president's administration passed legislation banning inmates at Guantanamo from taking their cases to federal courts.
Several months ago the supreme court rejected a similar appeal, but it has now reversed its decision and could begin to hear detainees' cases from October onwards.
White House national security spokesman Gordon Johndroe admitted the president had been surprised by the move.
"We did not think that court review at this time was necessary, but we are confident in our legal position," he said.
Guantanamo has been a source of lingering resentment in the international community over its treatment of prisoners and remains one of the US government's most controversial anti-terror policies.
Up until now inmates have only been permitted to have their cases heard in military commissions.