Menu
24/07/2003
US rule out death penalty for British detainees
The two Britons currently being held in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, will not face the death penalty, it has emerged following a meeting between the Attorney General and the US General Counsel of the Department of Defense.
The US assured the UK that the prosecution had reviewed the evidence against Feroz Abbasi and Moazzem Begg, and that based on this, if charged, the prosecution would not seek the death penalty in either case.
Also, the US said that it would not monitor conversations held between the detainees and their defence teams.
William Haynes met with Attorney General Peter Goldsmith on Monday and Tuesday to discuss the cases and, according to defense department officials, the talks were "productive and led to a number of assurances from the US about the military commission process".
Lord Goldsmith's visit follows on from President Bush's decision not to begin any military commission proceedings against British citizens "pending the outcome of those meetings".
However, prisoners held in Camp X-Ray will continue to be assessed on a case-by-case basis based on their specific circumstances.
"To date, no enemy combatants have been charged for trial before a military commission. No military commission proceedings will begin against any British nationals until after further discussions planned for next week," a defense department spokesperson said.
(GMcG)
The US assured the UK that the prosecution had reviewed the evidence against Feroz Abbasi and Moazzem Begg, and that based on this, if charged, the prosecution would not seek the death penalty in either case.
Also, the US said that it would not monitor conversations held between the detainees and their defence teams.
William Haynes met with Attorney General Peter Goldsmith on Monday and Tuesday to discuss the cases and, according to defense department officials, the talks were "productive and led to a number of assurances from the US about the military commission process".
Lord Goldsmith's visit follows on from President Bush's decision not to begin any military commission proceedings against British citizens "pending the outcome of those meetings".
However, prisoners held in Camp X-Ray will continue to be assessed on a case-by-case basis based on their specific circumstances.
"To date, no enemy combatants have been charged for trial before a military commission. No military commission proceedings will begin against any British nationals until after further discussions planned for next week," a defense department spokesperson said.
(GMcG)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
25 February 2004
Two Guantanamo detainees charged with war crimes
The US administration has announced today that two of Guantanamo Bay's 600 detainees are to face prosecution. The Department of Defense has confirmed that Ali Hamza Ahmed Sulayman al Bahlul from Yemen and Ibrahim Ahmed Mahmoud al Qosi from Sudan have been charged with conspiracy to commit war crimes and will be tried by military commission.
Two Guantanamo detainees charged with war crimes
The US administration has announced today that two of Guantanamo Bay's 600 detainees are to face prosecution. The Department of Defense has confirmed that Ali Hamza Ahmed Sulayman al Bahlul from Yemen and Ibrahim Ahmed Mahmoud al Qosi from Sudan have been charged with conspiracy to commit war crimes and will be tried by military commission.
21 June 2004
Three British navy boats seized by Iran, reports claim
Three British navy vessels, manned by eight sailors, have been seized by Iran after entering its territorial waters, it has been reported today. An Iranian military source, quoted by Reuters, said that the boats were held and the sailors arrested after an incident in the Shatt Al Arab channel which divides Iraq and Iran.
Three British navy boats seized by Iran, reports claim
Three British navy vessels, manned by eight sailors, have been seized by Iran after entering its territorial waters, it has been reported today. An Iranian military source, quoted by Reuters, said that the boats were held and the sailors arrested after an incident in the Shatt Al Arab channel which divides Iraq and Iran.
13 February 2006
British troops accused of abuse to be fully investigated
A man has been arrested by the Military police after abuse allegations made in the News of the World, which published pictures from a video it claimed was shot in southern Iraq in 2004.
British troops accused of abuse to be fully investigated
A man has been arrested by the Military police after abuse allegations made in the News of the World, which published pictures from a video it claimed was shot in southern Iraq in 2004.
27 January 2004
Unilateral military action undermines global peace efforts: UN
Unilateral military action, akin to that employed by Britain and the US against Iraq, undermines the efforts of the community of nations pursuing global peace, according to the UN Deputy Secretary General.
Unilateral military action undermines global peace efforts: UN
Unilateral military action, akin to that employed by Britain and the US against Iraq, undermines the efforts of the community of nations pursuing global peace, according to the UN Deputy Secretary General.
24 January 2013
Foreign Office Tells Britons To Leave Libya
The Foreign Office has urged British nationals to immediately leave the Libyan city of Benghazi, following “a specific threat to Westerners".
Foreign Office Tells Britons To Leave Libya
The Foreign Office has urged British nationals to immediately leave the Libyan city of Benghazi, following “a specific threat to Westerners".
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Dry with some late sunshine to end the day. Clear spells through the first part of the night but low cloud feeding in from the north later giving some mist or fog patches. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
