WASHINGTON – An Australian held at the Navy’s prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, will face a military tribunal for allegedly training and fighting alongside members of al-Qaida in Afghanistan, the Pentagon announced Thursday.
The military charged David Hicks with conspiracy to commit war crimes, attempted murder and aiding the enemy, the Pentagon said in a statement. Hicks will plead innocent, his military lawyer said.
Hicks is not specifically accused of hurting or killing anyone. In justifying the charge of attempted murder by an unprivileged belligerent, the Pentagon alleges Hicks participated in fighting in Afghanistan as an illegal combatant.
Hicks’ “did not violate any of the laws of war. He did not commit a crime,” said the lawyer, Maj. Michael Mori. “David Hicks has not injured any U.S. citizen or service member.”
Hicks, 28, a former cowboy who converted to Islam, will not face the death penalty, according to a U.S. agreement with Australia.
The military alleges that Hicks attended several al-Qaida training camps in Afghanistan and fought alongside al-Qaida and the Taliban after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks until he was captured in December 2001 near Baghlan.
Hicks’ trial could start as soon as August, Australian Prime Minister John Howard said.
Associated Press
Australian David Hicks, who is charged with conspiring with al-Qaida in Afghanistan, is seen holding a bazooka in this undated photo taken in Kosovo.
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