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Ali Hamza Ahmad Suliman al-Bahlul

Nationality: Yemeni

Ali Hamza Ahmad Suliman al-Bahlul, a 37-year-old Yemeni, was one of the first detainees to be transferred to Guantanamo when the facility opened in 2002. He is charged with conspiracy to commit terrorism, murder in violation of the laws of war, attacking civilian objects, the destruction of property in violation of the laws of war, terrorism and providing material support for terrorism, based on claims that he received military training in Afghanistan and acted as a “media secretary” for Osama bin Laden.

At al-Bahlul’s initial appearance before the first round of military commissions in 2005 he requested permission to choose a lawyer from Yemen, his home country; his request was denied. When he appeared again a year later, he requested permission to represent himself, stating that he had no expectation of justice from a system created by his American enemies – a request that was also denied.

That case was ultimately thrown out when the Supreme Court declared the initial military commissions unlawful, but the US government announced new charges against him before the new military commissions on February 8, 2008.

When al-Bahlul made his first appearance before the new set of military commissions, he once again told the court that he would not accept representation and that he planned to boycott the proceedings. Air Force Major David Frakt has been assigned to represent al-Bahlul, though al-Bahlul has refused to authorize Frakt to speak on his behalf. Al-Bahlul’s trial has been set for late October, 2008.

Human Rights Watch Commentary: Military Commissions Documents:

Ali Hamza Ahmad Suliman al-Bahlul © 2004 Reuters