Civilian Criminal Indictment of 'Enemy Combatant' Is Unsealed
A landmark civilian criminal court indictment of an accused “enemy combatant” who has been held without trial for years by the U.S. military was approved yesterday by a federal grand jury in Peoria, Ill., where he had been living as a student, and unsealed today.
Ali Saleh Kahlah al-Marri, a citizen of Qatar and legal U.S. resident, is accused of providing material support and resources to the terrorist al-Qaida group and conspiring as well to do so, reports the New York Times. Initially arrested in 2001 in a credit card fraud case, he was declared an enemy combatant 18 months later.
He faces as much as 30 years in prison if he is found guilty on both counts.
“This indictment shows our resolve to protect the American people and prosecute alleged terrorists to the full extent of the law,” says Attorney General Eric Holder. “In this administration, we will hold accountable anyone who attempts to do harm to Americans, and we will do so in a manner consistent with our values.”
Additional coverage:
ABC News: “Al-Marri Indicted on Terrorism Charges”
ABAJournal.com: “‘Enemy Combatant’ Al-Marri To Be Charged in Civilian Criminal Case”
New Yorker: “Al-Marri Indictment Today”
