Youngest detainee at Guantanamo Bay pleads guilty to terrorism and murder charges

[News_Editor]

Youngest detainee at Guantanamo Bay pleads guilty to terrorism and murder charges

2010-10-26 08:31:49 GMT+7 (ICT)

WASHINGTON D.C. (BNO NEWS) -- The U.S. Department of Defense on Monday announced that the youngest detainee at Guantanamo Bay has pleaded guilty to killing a U.S. soldier during a clash with Al-Qaeda forces.

Omar Khadr, a Canadian national who is currently detained at the Guantanamo Bay prison, pleaded guilty to a military commission. He admitted to committing murder in violation of the law of war, attempted murder in violation of the law of war, providing material support to terrorism, conspiracy, and spying.

Khadr admitted throwing a grenade that killed Sergeant Christopher Speer after the conclusion of a four-hour fight between Al-Qaeda forces and U.S. military troops. He acknowledged that he tossed the explosive on July 27, 2002 with the intent to kill American and coalition forces.

The terrorist said that before the event, he converted landmines to improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and assisted in the planting of ten IEDs with the intent of killing American forces. His sentence will be determined at a hearing on October 26.

Khadr entered the plea agreement to serve one more year in Guantanamo and then he will serve the remainder of his term in a Canadian prison. He also agreed to waive his right to trial and plead guilty to the charged offenses in exchange for a limitation on his sentence.

In all military commissions, a panel of military officers known as members determines the sentence, regardless of whether the plea was guilty or not guilty. The defense and prosecution will each have an opportunity to present evidence and argument to the members.

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