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October 10, 2008
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Ear to the Ground

Gitmo Lawyer Alleges Torture Evidence Destruction

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Posted on Jun 9, 2008
AP photo / Brennan Llinsley

A prisoner shields his face as he peers out through a “bean hole,” which is used to pass food and other items into cells, at Guantanamo’s Camp Delta detention center.

A military lawyer for a Guantanamo detainee says it was standard operating procedure to destroy evidence of torture (or harsh interrogation techniques, as some call it) in order to “minimize certain legal issues.” Lt. Cmdr. William Kuebler is concerned that, because of the policy, he will not be able to challenge the alleged confessions of his client, who was detained at the age of 15.

Guardian:

The apparently wilful and officially sanctioned destruction of notes meant he would be unable to challenge supposed confessions given by [Omar] Khadr, Kuebler said yesterday.

He told reporters the instruction was contained in a US military manual of standard operating procedures, or SOPs, for interrogators that was shown to him during a pre-trial review of possible evidence.

“The mission has legal and political issues that may lead to interrogators being called to testify ... Keeping the number of documents with interrogation information to a minimum can minimise certain legal issues,” the document was cited as saying in an affidavit signed by Kuebler.

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By Purple Girl, June 10 at 4:33 am #

funny how even Truthdig give no Print to the HOURS Kucinich spent on the Houe Floor going through the Multitudes of Crimes This admin has committed since the Theft of the ‘00 election.
Another Media Lie via Omission!
Et Tu ‘Truthdig’?????
Another example of the Proof there is No REAL FREE Press regardless of their claims to be ‘Liberal’ or apparently Patriotic.
Sad this Site may have to go the way of HuffPo.Salon- unsubscribed. Covert operative who intentionally throw US Crumbs to divert Our attention away from what is Really happening. Look down Your Complicity is showing!

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By Louise, June 9 at 6:47 pm #

Given the painfully long, short period of time we have operated Gitmo, and given the equally painful knowledge of crimes committed by the administration in the name of pursuing wars for peace, this cant be a surprise. Particularly when we see the directive was issued in January 2003.

Golly gees, one more bit of arse covering for the POTUS, who was really much to busy being bothered with plans to attack Iraqi citizens to worry about the “bad” guys rounded up in Afghanistan. So he issues orders making them not count, and one to make bad things done to them not count either. 2003. A banner year for the criminal administration, when they issued so many of their orders to break Constitutional law, with the presidents blessing.

As usual, the wrong people are on trial.

Tell me, if the evidence [notes] taken that maintain the crime occurred were destroyed, doesn’t that place the “evidence” therefore the case and a possible conviction in jeopardy? Seems to me, to allege a crime has been committed without the original notes relating to the confession, whether taken under torture or not, would be an allegation a bit harder to prove.

But even that question isn’t near as important as why aren’t the right criminals on trial?

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