Salim Hamdan, Driver for Osama bin Laden, Sentenced to 66
Salim Hamdan, the driver for al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, has been sentenced to 66 months but could be freed within five months having already served 61 months in the U.S. detention facility at Guantanamo Bay.
Prosecutors had asked for a sentence of no less than 30 years but the six-member jury comprised of military officers took just one-and-a-half hours to return a sentence significantly shorter.
In the trial it was the jury’s responsibility to hand down the sentence and not the judge.
On Wednesday Hamdan had been convicted of supporting terrorism but was found not guilty on the more serious charge of conspiracy to commit murder.
Hamdan had told the judge and jury he was merely a driver for bin Laden and never took part in any terrorist acts. Prosecutors had alleged Hamdan played an active role in the conspiring to commit terrorist acts against the United States.
After hearing his sentence Hamdan told the jury, “I would like to apologize one more time to all the members and I would like to thank you for what you have done for me.”
While Hamdan could be out in five months there is also the possibilty he could be held indefinitely if the U.S. labels him an “enemy combatant.”
Salim Hamdan, Driver for Osama bin Laden, Sentenced to 66
August 7th, 2008 | Category: Guantanamo, Kangaroo Kourt
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