Military Judge Shuts Down Chaotic Guantanamo Trial Indefinitely

NEW YORK — The military judge in the Guantanamo military commission trial of Abd al Rahim al-Nashiri, the defendant charged with planning the bombing of the USS Cole, “indefinitely” shut down all further proceedings today after a long series of disputes over fundamental issues including the judge’s authority, according to The Miami Herald.

Hina Shamsi, director of the American Civil Liberties Union’s National Security Project, said:

“This is the latest dramatic evidence of a truly broken justice system. The Guantanamo military commissions have long been plagued by fundamental unfairness, secrecy, and ethical issues caused by the government itself, among a long list of flaws. Now, a presiding military judge who also contributed to the problems has thrown his hands up in the air. Contrary to President Trump’s desire to keep this system going instead of using the federal courts, it needs to be shut down.”