JURIST - Paper Chase: Saudi Guantanamo Bay detainee plans boycott of military commission trial

[JURIST] A Saudi Arabian Guantanamo Bay detainee said during a pre-trial hearing Wednesday that he plans to boycott his upcoming military commission trial and does not wish to attend or have legal representation. Ahmed Mohammed Ahmed Haza al-Darbi [DOD materials] described the proceedings as a "sham" and argued that the US military commissions system constitutes a "crime against humanity." A military judge said that he could still be tried and convicted in absentia should he refuse to attend future proceedings. AP has more.

Military prosecutors filed charges [PDF text, JURIST report] in December against al-Darbi for his alleged role in a plan to bomb a ship off the coast of Yemen or in the Strait of Hormuz. He is accused of conspiracy and providing material support for terrorism under Sections 950v(b)(28) and (25) of the Military Commissions Act of 2006 [PDF text]. He also allegedly attended and worked at an al Qaeda terrorist training camp and traveled to various locales in Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar to buy materials and recruit help for terror activities. In March, the US Department of Defense referred two charges [JURIST report] against al-Darbi. He has been held at Guantanamo Bay since March 2003 and faces a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted.

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