BREAKING: Hamdan ConvictedReuters and CNN are reporting that Osama bin Laden’s driver, Salim Hadam, has been convicted. No word yet on whether it’s on all 10 counts of conspiracy and abetting terrorism.
Late update: From Reuters:
A jury of U.S. military officers convicted Osama bin Laden’s driver on charges of providing material support for terrorism on Wednesday but acquitted him on charges of providing material support for al Qaeda in the first U.S. war crimes trial since World War Two.
The case of Yemeni driver Salim Hamdan, who faces life in prison, is the first full test of the controversial Guantanamo tribunal authorized by the Bush administration to try non-U.S. captives on terrorism charges outside the regular civilian and military courts.
Sentencing is scheduled for this afternoon.
Late late update: We know that the convicted on “providing material support for terrorism” and acquitted on “providing material support for al Qaeda” seems confusing and maybe a bit contradictory. The AP puts it another way that might clear things up:
The Pentagon-selected jury deliberated for about eight hours over three days before convicting Salim Hamdan of supporting terrorism. He was cleared of the conspiracy charge.
