AP News, November 23rd, 2007
A media watchdog on Thursday urged the U.S. military to show good cause for the detention an Associated Press photographer in Iraq, and described his incarceration as "unjust."
Military officials have alleged that Bilal Hussein, who has been detained for 19 months, had links to terrorist groups but are refusing to disclose what evidence or accusations would be presented.
An AP investigation of the case, made public Wednesday, shows no support for allegations that Hussein, 36, took part in insurgent activities or bomb-making, and few of the images he provided dealt directly with Iraqi insurgents.
In a statement, Johann P. Fritz, director of the Vienna-based International Press Institute, said that the only grounds for Hussein's detention appeared to be the suspicion that he committed an offense.
The burden of proof lies with the U.S. military to prove Hussein's guilt, Fritz said, adding it was fundamental to any criminal system that those holding the accused show good cause as to why they arrested him. This, he added, should then be tested in an independent court.
"At present, Hussein is being held in a judicial limbo with the U.S. military changing their accusations against him each time they are disproved," Fritz said.
"IPI calls on the U.S. military to release him or try him or show good cause before an independent court as to why they cannot do so."
Until this happens, Hussein, in the eyes of the international community, will "remain an innocent AP photographer enduring what appears to be a long and unjust imprisonment," Fritz said.
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