Bagram detainee battle echoes Gitmo argument

[unhappycamper]

Bagram detainee battle echoes Gitmo argument
By Pete Yost - The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Jan 7, 2010 14:27:19 EST

WASHINGTON — A federal appeals court panel expressed deep skepticism Thursday about giving three detainees at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan the same right to challenge their indefinite detention as prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

During a courtroom argument about a Tunisian and two Yemeni prisoners seeking to be released from Bagram, the judges suggested that opening federal courts to some detainees from Bagram could have far-reaching consequences, possibly interfering with U.S. military operations in future campaigns anywhere in the world.

During the court argument that lasted more than an hour, Tina Foster, an attorney representing the three detainees, pointed to the fact that each of the men has been held for more than six years.

Foster’s argument drew a sharp response from Judge Harry Edwards.

“That’s a big reach” from the Supreme Court ruling that gave Guantanamo Bay detainees the right to challenge their detention, said Edwards, an appointee of President Jimmy Carter.


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2010/01/ap_bagram_detainees_010710w/