I Dont Take Sides. I take Pictures.

AP photographer Bilal Hussein finally had the opportunity to sit in front of a court yesterday, after being detained by U.S. forces in Iraq 19 months ago.

Although calling it a 'court' is obviously dignifying what looks like a legal farce and a complete mockery of due process.

The details of the hearing are going to be kept secret, the defence lawyers can view materials presented at the hearing, but not take any copies away with them, and Bilals lawyer, Paul Gardephe cannot speak to him without a US soldier and military interpreter being present in the room.

As Gardephe says:

"You cannot prepare a defendant for a criminal trial with the prosecutor in the room"

Even if the Central Criminal Court of Iraq (CCCI) releases Bilal Hussein, the U.S. retains the prerogative to continue to hold someone as a security detainee, even if the CCCI clears them.

Tony Blair, at the US Congress, 2003:

"Our ultimate weapon is not our guns but our beliefs ...any time, ordinary people are given the chance to choose, the choice is the same. Freedom not tyranny. Democracy not dictatorship. The rule of law not the rule of the secret police."

Comments

[Daniel]

Does anything the US do these days seem to shock anyone?

[marc vallée]

Well put Sion.

[rob]

@ Daniel: We are beyond being shocked.