Watching the Shadows

Military judge approves destruction of ‘black site’

Military judge James Pohl ruled that no wrongdoing occurred when he authorized the destruction of a CIA secret prison, or "black site," despite the fact that a protection order was in effect on any remains from the CIA black sites. Prosecutors, citing national security powers, obtained permission from the judge to give defense attorneys photographs and a diagram of the site as a substitute for preservation the actual facility. The question concerned the admissibility of evidence possibly extracted by torture in the 9-11 case now underway at Guantánamo Bay. From 2002-2006, prisoners at the black site were subjected to waterboarding, sexual abuse, and other forms of torture. (Photo: Wikimedia)

Watching the Shadows

UN expert: torture continues at Gitmo

UN Special Rapporteur on Torture Nils Melzer issued a statement calling on the US to end impunity for "perpetrators and policymakers responsible for years of gruesome abuse" at Guantánamo Bay and other detention facilities. He added that that he has information that Guantánamo detainee Ammar al-Baluchi, awaiting trial in the 9-11 case before a military tribunal, is still being tortured despite the banning of so-called "enhanced interrogation techniques."

Watching the Shadows

Appeals court: military judge biased in 9-11 case

A federal appeals court in Washington DC ruled  that the military judge hearing the case against the 9-11 defendants should have recused himself for making comments that revealed his bias in the matter. The case against the accused conspirators is still pending nearly a decade after it opened, beset by a long string of controversies and irregularities.

Watching the Shadows

Supreme Court limits suits by post-9-11 detainees

The Supreme Court ruled 4-2 in Ziglar v. Abbasi that Muslim men detained in the aftermath of the 9-11 attacks cannot sue top US officials, as they are protected by immunity.

Watching the Shadows

Families of 9-11 victims sue Saudi Arabia

More than 850 family members of 9-11 victims filed a lawsuit against Saudi Arabia, alleging that the kingdom provided support to al-Qaeda in multiple ways.

Watching the Shadows

Conviction of bin Laden assistant upheld

A US appeals court upheld the conviction of Ali Hamza Bahlul, former personal assistant to Osama bin Laden, finding that conspiracy cases can be tried by military tribunals.

Watching the Shadows

Congress overrides veto of 9-11 bill

The US Congress voted overwhelmingly to override President Obama's veto of a bill that will allow the families of 9-11 victims to sue Saudi Arabia.

Watching the Shadows

Obama vetoes bill approving 9-11 lawsuits

Obama vetoed a bill that would have allowed 9-11 victims and their families to sue Saudi Arabia, citing concerns that it would open US diplomats and servicemen to suit abroad.