SA: Hicks turns 29 in solitary confinement at Guantanamo Bay

AAP General News (Australia)
08-08-2004
SA: Hicks turns 29 in solitary confinement at Guantanamo Bay

ADELAIDE, Aug 8 AAP - Australian terrorist suspect David Hicks has spent his 29th birthday
in solitary confinement at the US' Guantanamo Bay military base in Cuba, amid accusations
of abandonment by the federal government.

Hicks, of Adelaide, has been detained by the US since his capture among Taliban forces
in Afghanistan in December 2001.

The former jackaroo has been charged with attempted murder, conspiracy and aiding the
enemy and is scheduled to appear before a US military commission later this month.

Another Australian, Sydney father-of-four Mamdouh Habib, is also detained at Guantanamo
Bay and is to face a similar military commission, but has yet to be charged.

Yesterday, Hicks turned 29 but the milestone would bring him no celebration, according
to the Australian Democrats.

"David Hicks has been imprisoned without trial for too long," Democrats South Australian
leader Sandra Kanck said today.

"The federal government has abandoned the interest of both the Australians being held
in Guantanamo Bay.

"I have grave concerns that David Hicks will face a kangaroo court and the Howard government
will again turn its back on the absence of due process for political reasons."

AAP sl/cdh/tma

KEYWORD: HICKS

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