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Khadr admitted throwing grenade that killed soldier: US interrogator

By Bernard Hibbitts (editor) and University of Pittsburgh School of Law students.

[JURIST] Canadian Guantanamo detainee Omar Khadr admitted throwing a hand grenade that killed a US soldier in Afghanistan, according to the pre-trial testimony Monday of an American intelligence official. The official, identified as Interrogator 11, said Khadr expressed pride in learning he had caused the death of an American. Khadr's attorneys contend there are photographs and eye-witness accounts contradicting their client's alleged confession. Also Monday, special agent Robert Fuller testified that Khadr had identified former detainee and deported Canadian Maher Arar by name when shown a photograph, saying he recognized Arar from an al Qaeda safe-house in Kabul. Notes taken at a 2002 FBI interrogation of Khadr emerged Tuesday that differ somewhat from Fuller's testimony, indicating Khadr only said Arar "looked familiar." Rights groups have lobbied the Obama administration to halt the trial of Khadr, scheduled to begin January 26, as he was 15 years old at the time he allegedly threw a grenade that killed a US solider in 2002. He was charged with murder, attempted murder, conspiracy, providing material support for terrorism, and spying in April 2007. The pre-trial hearing began Monday after a judge denied a request for a delay of the proceedings.

Full post as published by JURIST - The Paper Chase on January 20, 2009 (boomark / email).