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David Hicks

Nationality: Australian

David Hicks, a 32-year-old Australian, was the first person to have been convicted by the US military commissions. He pleaded guilty in April 2007 to one count of providing material support for terrorism and was sentenced to nine months in prison. He served his sentence in his native Australia. Included in the plea deal was a one-year gag rule that prohibited Hicks from discussing his treatment or capture. Hicks was also barred from suing anyone is the US government regarding his detention or treatment, and from profiting from the eventual sale of his story.

Hicks told his lawyers that he was mistreated by US forces in Afghanistan prior to his transfer to Guantanamo, saying he was beaten, made to endure prolonged sleep deprivation, and forced to take unidentified medication.

Human Rights Watch Commentary:

Military Commissions Documents:


David Hicks © 2005 Reuters