Iraqi Panel Orders U.S. To Release AP Photographer

[Purveyor]

Source: Reuters

Apr 13, 2008 14:29 EST

BAGHDAD, April 13 (Reuters) - An Iraqi judicial panel dismissed the last remaining criminal allegation against an Associated Press photographer on Sunday and ordered him freed from U.S. military custody, the news agency reported.

The U.S. military has accused Bilal Hussein, an Iraqi, of working with insurgents in Iraq and held him without charge for two years. The Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer was seized in Ramadi, capital of Anbar province, and is being held in Baghdad.

On Thursday, the U.S. military said it would not free Hussein unless its own review board approved, after the Iraqi panel dismissed separate terrorism-related accusations against Hussein early last week and ordered him released.

The AP said the panel of three judges and a prosecutor of the Iraqi Federal Appeals Court granted amnesty on Sunday to Hussein, 36, saying there should be no further action on allegations he might have had improper contact with insurgents who killed an Italian in Iraq.

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The panel ordered a "halt to all legal proceedings" and said Hussein should be "released immediately" unless he is wanted in connection with something else, the agency added.



Read more: http://wiredispatch.com/news/?id=126451

[bushmeister0]

1. Remember Americas Shawqi Ahmad Omar and Mohammad Munaf being held at Camp Cropper.

These two the US military wants to turn over to the tender mercies of the Iraqis, our good friends.

Gregory G. Garre, a deputy solicitor general, argued in front of the Supreme Court recently that these Americans can expect no protection from their own government.

In response to Chief Justice Robert's guestion if "the individuals are going to be released in a situation where you know that they won’t receive anything resembling due process and will be subject to abuse . . . What happens in that case?"

Garre: "I think we would maintain that American citizens, when they go abroad, they have to take what they get."

American citizenship sure doesn't account for much these days, does it?

[BunkerHill24]

2. Although the Iraqi Judiciary panel recommended the release

of Mr. Hussein, the US military in Iraq have asked more time to investigate the matter, even though Mr. Hussein has been in prison without charges for over two years. AMAZING!

[revolve]

3. His name is Hussein

Of course hes a terrorist

[LynnTheDem]

4. Iraq seems to be under the delusion of sovereignty.

Want sovereignty?

Kick out the occupiers.