Obama has ordered prosecutors to seek 120-day continuances in all cases.
The request would halt proceedings in 21 pending cases, including the death penalty case against five Guantanamo prisoners accused of plotting the September 11 hijacked plane attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people.
What this bodes for continued U.S. detention and prosecution of enemy jihadists is not clear. But Obama has "pledged" to shut down Guantanamo, so the likely implication is that he's attempting to buy some time for his administration to somehow solve the problem of how to close Guantanamo without immediately releasing jihadists to kill again.
Update: This is too funny: Guantanamo Detainees to Obama: No Trial Continuances! Kill Us Now!
enemy jihadists ... how to close Guantanamo without immediately releasing jihadists to kill again.
Well, he could just turn the process over to you, since, in your infinite wisdom, you've already determined that all the detainees are guilty.
Posted by: Steve M. | January 21, 2009 at 06:37 AM
Yeah, Steve, because we certainly cannot think they are guilty, what with the being caught fighting on the battlefield wearing no uniform and their links to terror groups. Your the kind of guy who al Qaeda is thrilled to have as a supporter.
Posted by: William Teach | January 21, 2009 at 08:59 AM
Looks like Barack is off to a great start, on track to keep his word and restore some international credibility for the US
Posted by: coffee | January 25, 2009 at 06:23 PM