The debate over how to prosecute terrorism suspects erupted anew last week, after a civilian jury acquitted Ahmed Khalfan Ghailani of all but one of 285 charges relating to the 1998 embassy bombings in Africa. Ghailani was the first former Guantanamo detainee to be tried in federal court. The judge ruled that testimony from a key witness was inadmissible, as investigators learned of his existence during an interrogation when Ghailani claims he was tortured. But there was enough evidence to convict Ghailani of conspiracy to blow up buildings — worth a minimum 20-year prison sentence. Is this a victory or defeat for the Obama administration's strategy of trying terror suspects in civilian rather than military courts? (Watch a BBC report about the verdict)
Ghailani is going to prison. What's the problem? Take a look at what actually happened here, says David A. Graham at Newsweek. "The U.S. government successfully prosecuted a major terror suspect" in a civilian court. The only reason he wasn't convicted of more charges was the Bush Administration's "constitutionally questionable" methods of extracting information. Ghailani's going away for 20 years to life. What more do you want?
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.