US Judge Releases Accused Guantanamo Spy from Jail

[maddezmom]

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (Reuters) - A military judge released a Syrian-born U.S. airman accused of espionage from jail on Wednesday, saying that while U.S. Air Force translator Ahmad Al Halabi still has to face trial he no longer represents a flight risk.

"I am sorry I cannot comment now. It feels great though," a smiling Halabi said in accented English as he left the military courtroom at Travis Air Force Base.

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more: http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=domesticNews&storyID=5124498

[maddezmom]

1. related article: Accused U.S. Spy May Have Abuse Proof

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (Reuters) - A lawyer for a Syrian-born U.S. airman accused of espionage said on Tuesday that potentially damaging evidence of how detainees were treated at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba may surface during his client's court-martial hearing.
Attorney Donald Rehkopf also said he is confident many remaining charges against U.S. Air Force translator Ahmad Al Halabi will be dropped. Thirteen charges were dropped or withdrawn by prosecutors during previous pretrial hearings under Judge Col. Barbara Brand.

Halabi faces charges of spying and misusing classified information while serving as a translator at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, the military base where the United States has imprisoned suspected al Qaeda and Taliban fighters.

"He complained how the detainees were being treated," Rehkopf said, declining to provide details.

Rehkopf said Halabi had been ordered by superiors to look out for and report abuses of prisoners.

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more: http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=5111075