AP News, December 5th, 2007
NAME — Salim Ahmed Hamdan.
AGE — U.S. military records show Hamdan is about 37.
NATIONALITY — Yemeni.
HOW HE GOT TO GUANTANAMO — Afghan troops captured Hamdan in southern Afghanistan on Nov. 24, 2001, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press under the Freedom of Information Act. At the time, he was in a car with four other alleged al-Qaida associates who exchanged fire with the Afghan troops. Three of the other men in the car, including a son-in-law of Osama bin Laden, were killed. Hamdan and a Moroccan were turned over to the U.S. The military says Hamdan admitted working as bin Laden's driver in Afghanistan.
CHARGES — Conspiracy and supporting terrorism. The U.S. says he transported top members of al-Qaida and hauled weapons and supplies between February 1996 and his capture. Hamdan has not yet entered a plea. His lawyers agree that he was a driver for bin Laden, but never participated in any terrorist attacks against the United States. Hamdan faces life in prison if convicted.
LEGAL HISTORY — Hamdan was charged in 2004 but his case was put on hold when his lawyers challenged the military commission system. In June 2006, the Supreme Court threw out the commission system because of Hamdan's challenge, prompting the Bush administration and Congress to draft new rules. In June 2007, a military judge threw out the charges against Hamdan, ruling the commissions lack jurisdiction because he has not been officially designated an "unlawful enemy combatant" as required by the new rules. The government appealed and a newly established military review court reinstated the charges, ruling Guantanamo judges have the authority to make the designation.
