US counter-terrorism officials have indicated that the administration of President Barack Obama [2] is considering trying the former leader of Hezbollah [3] in a military commission on US soil, the Associated Press [4] reported Sept. 26. According to anonymous officials, the Obama administration is considering the controversial move because they believe that the best place to try Ali Mussa Daqduq is a US military base. Daqduq was captured in Iraq in 2007, where he is currently being held. He is linked to a raid in Karbala, which killed four US soldiers, and is believed to have ties to Iran. If a US military tribunal hears the case, it will mark the first time a military commission has been held on US soil since 9-11. If no decision is made by the end of the year, Daqduq must be transferred to the custody of Iraqi officials according to a 2008 agreement between the US and Bagdad. Some have suggested that Daqduq be tried at Guantánamo Bay [5] as an alternative to a trial in the US.
From Jurist [6], Sept. 26. Used with permission.
See our last posts on Iraq [7] and the detainment scandals [8].
