Home -> Law Blog Directory -> Human Rights Law Blogs -> Never In Our Names

Human Rights Law

: Never In Our Names

Ali Hamza Ahmad al-Bahlul Gets Life in Prison

By possum

In a post earlier this week, Valtin reported a verdict had been reached in the trial of Ali Hamza Ahmad al-Bahlul.  In the excitement of yesterday's election his sentencing passed almost without note.  al-Bahlul has been sentenced to life in prison.
In protest

Bahlul boycotted the trial and, on his instructions, his court-appointed military lawyer remained silent throughout the proceedings

The nine-member military panel deliberated for less than four hours before reaching a verdict

Like Valtin said already, this is a pretty stiff penalty for a videographer.

al-Bahlul will have the proceedings undergo automatic review by the Pentagon official overseeing the trials, and then by a Court of Military Commission Review.

He can then appeal the verdict to the US Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court.

By the time all the appeals are concluded we will have a new administration in place in the nation.  Until something in the situation is changed al-Bahlul remains among the detainees at Guantanamo Bay.

Peace.

Full post as published by Never In Our Names on November 05, 2008 (boomark / email).