Update: Bilal Hussein May Be Charged

New Tuesday: We have confirmed the basic details that have been reported elsewhere, that Bilal Hussein is due to be turned over to the Iraqi courts on Nov. 28 on charges associated with terrorist activity. Information beyond that is sketchy at best. Here's our story on PDNOnline: U.S.: Bilal Hussein To Be Charged Nov. 28. We'll do more reporting on this in the coming days.

From Monday: The Associated Press has published another news story about Bilal Hussein, the AP photographer who has been held by U.S. military authorities in Iraq for 19 months.

The news: The U.S. military has signaled its intentions to seek a criminal case against Hussein in the Iraqi justice system. Still unclear: On what charges? The lack of specific accusations against Hussein, and the absence of any due process so far, has frustrated the AP in its efforts to defend Hussein and agitate for his release.

You can read the AP's latest report here. Notably:

"U.S. military officials in Iraq did not immediately respond to AP questions about what precise accusations are planned against Hussein."

AP President and CEO Tom Curley adds in a statement:

"While we are hopeful that there could be some resolution to Bilal Hussein’s long detention, we have grave concerns that his rights under the law continue to be ignored and even abused. The steps the U.S. military is now taking continue to deny Bilal his right to due process and, in turn, may deny him a chance at a fair trial. The treatment of Bilal represents a miscarriage of the very justice and rule of law that the United States is claiming to help Iraq achieve. At this point, we believe the correct recourse is the immediate release of Bilal."

Recently on PDNOnline: 18 Months And Counting: AP Photog Remains in Military Custody

Comments

[Mark Bolster]

So where is the other half of the story??? People don't just get detained without reason. We are at war in case anyone forgot.
Not saying Bilal is guilty or innocent, just that there is a huge part of the story missing here. Why?

[barny chan]

"So where is the other half of the story???"

You seem to be missing the point. It's up to the US military need to provide "the other half of the story".

"We are at war in case anyone forgot"

If the "we" you refer to is the US, then you're wrong. There's no war in the USA. There's an occupation of Iraq.

"Not saying Bilal is guilty or innocent, just that there is a huge part of the story missing here. Why?"

Why? Again, because the US military isn't providing the story. Instead of indulging in patriotic angst, why not join the campaign for full disclosure?

[Mark Bolster]

"You seem to be missing the point. It's up to the US military need to provide "the other half of the story".

This is where you are wrong the military isn't obligated to provide anything to anybody during wartime. They have already commented that they believe he was involved in terroristic activity. Nothing in the military is done unilaterally. They apparently believe they have a case against this person. They will make it when the rest of the world NEED'S to know, and not a moment before. Security concerns over rule whining and conspiracy theorists during wartime. We indeed ARE at war. A war against terror, against a ruthless ideal that a dead American is the best American. And it doesn't stop in America, but they'd be happy to see all non Muslims six feet under. Explaining terrorism to liberals is like
fighting over which is better, Canon or Nikon? Waste of breath...

[barny chan]

"This is where you are wrong the military isn't obligated to provide anything to anybody during wartime"

Mark, your comments are utterly contradictory. First you demand to know the full story. Then you support the fact we're not being given the story. Make your mind up.

You go (very strangely) on: "military...wartime...terroristic activity...military...the world NEED'S to know...not a moment before. Security concerns over rule whining and conspiracy theorists during wartime. We indeed ARE at war. A war against terror...a ruthless ideal that a dead American is the best American...it doesn't stop in America...they'd be happy to see all non Muslims six feet under...terrorism...liberals"

A word of advice for all those looking to stay safe in these most trying of times. When constructing your tin foil hat it's absolutely imperative that the foil is double layer. Without this extra precaution "they" can still get through to you...