JURIST - Paper Chase: Guantanamo prosecutor expects new charges against detainees by February

[JURIST] Revised charges against a group of Guantanamo Bay [JURIST news archive] prisoners will be drawn up by the US military by February, with first evidence to be presented by this summer according to the chief prosecutor for the commissions speaking to Reuters Friday. US Air Force Colonel Moe Davis cautioned that the timetable could change as the judicial process continues. Davis also said that he was very likely to recommend the death penalty for some of the 14 high-value detainees [DNI backgrounder, PDF] moved to the camp [JURIST report] from CIA secret prisons in September.

The terror detention camp at Guantanamo Bay will mark its fifth anniversary on January 11. Since its inception, Guantanamo has seen 770 prisoners, only 10 of which have been charged. Today, 395 captives remain. The US Supreme Court effectively dismissed the charges against the original 10 defendants accused of terrorism in June when it rejected President Bush's initial military commission system [JURIST news archive], saying it was created without proper authorization from Congress. In response, the Republican-dominated Congress created a new military tribunal system this past September when it passed the Military Commissions Act [JURIST news archive]. Final rules governing trials conducted under the Act are being drafted by the Pentagon, and their release is expected in mid-January. Reuters has more.

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