Guantanamo judge bars coerced evidence in trial of bin Laden’s driver
Published 5:04 pm Monday, July 21, 2008
GUANTANAMO BAY NAVAL BASE, Cuba — The judge at the first Guantanamo war crimes trial has barred evidence obtained by interrogators under “highly coercive” conditions in Afghanistan.
The ruling today by Judge Keith Allred says prosecutors cannot use statements Salim Hamdan made shortly after his capture at Bagram air base and Panshir, Afghanistan. The judge is a Navy captain.
Hamdan, a former driver for Osama bin Laden, says he endured beatings and solitary confinement at the two locations.
He pleaded innocent earlier today to charges of conspiracy and supporting terrorism. He faces a maximum life sentence if convicted.
