THE CHIEF judge for the Guantánamo war crimes court yesterday refused President Obama’s request to delay proceedings against a Saudi charged with plotting an attack that killed 17 US sailors.
The ruling could force the Pentagon to withdraw the charges, though they could be refiled later if the administration decides to keep the special tribunals at the Guantánamo naval base.
Hours after taking office, Mr Obama ordered prosecutors to seek 120-day delays in all cases to give his administration time to decide whether to scrap the tribunals or try suspected terrorists outside the regular US court system.
– (Reuters)