Osama bin Laden's 'press man' faces Guantanamo charges
Wednesday, 27 Feb 2008 10:11
The detainee allegedly acted as Osama bin Laden's bodyguard
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The man accused of managing al-Qaida's "media communications" is to face charges at a military commission trial, the United States has announced.
Ali Hamza Ahmad Suliman al-Bahlul, 39, of Yemen, is currently being detained in Guantanamo Bay and a schedule is currently being arranged for his trial.
The charges against him include the allegation that he acted as al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden's personal bodyguard, the Pentagon said.
Mr al-Bahlul allegedly travelled to Afghanistan in February 1999 to join al-Qaida, where he attended "military-type training" and "armed himself to protect and prevent the capture of Osama bin Laden".
He subsequently "served as the personal director and media director of Osama bin Laden", researching the impact of September 11th, created a video about the destruction of a US destroyer and prepared "propaganda declarations", the charge sheet states.
Civil liberties groups have challenged the legitimacy of military commissions, which – though providing defendants with representation, cross-examination and other rights – do not provide the same rights as civil courts.
At present around 80 of Guantanamo Bay's 275 detainees are expected to face trial by military commission.