Ahmed Khalfan Ghailani was convicted of one count of conspiracy for his role in the 1998 terrorist bombings of the United States Embassies in Nairobi, Kenya, left, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Left, Reuters; Federal Bureau of Investigation,via ReutersAlleged Al-Qaeda Terrorist Ahmed Ghailani Acquitted Of All But One Charge In Embassy Bombing Trial -- New York Daily News
The first civilian trial of a Guantanamo detainee ended in disarray Wednesday with an alleged Al Qaeda operative convicted on only a single conspiracy count the African embassy bombing trial.
Ahmed Ghailani, 36, was acquitted on 224 counts after being charged with helping a terror cell buy a truck and components for explosives used in a suicide bombing in Tanzania on Aug. 7, 1998.
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More News On The U.S. Acquittal Of Al Qaeda Terrorist Ahmed Ghailani
Ahmed Ghailani, Gitmo detainee, acquitted of all but 1 charge in NY -- Washington Post
Detainee Acquitted on Most Counts in ’98 Bombings -- New York Times
US jury clears Ghailani of major terrorism charges -- Reuters
Guantanamo Detainee Ghailani Convicted on Just 1 Charge by N.Y. Jury -- PBS Newshour
Landmark terror trial ends in not-guilty verdict on all but one count -- CNN
Ghailani Guilty of Conspiracy, Cleared of 224 Murders -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Tanzanian Man Acquitted of Most Charges in Bomb Plot -- Wall Street Journal
First Gitmo Detainee Tried In Civilian Court Found Not Guilty On Terror Charges -- NPR
Gitmo detainee acquitted of all but 1 charge in NY -- Wall Street Journal
Ex-Gitmo Detainee Ahmed Ghailani Cleared of All but One Charge in U.S. Embassy Bombings -- FOX News
My Comment: Today's acquittal destroys President Obama's and the Justice Department's assertions and arguments that terror trials in U.S. civilian courts can be successful in getting convictions for Al Qaeda terrorists. Clearly this is not the case .... and not even close. Am I surprised by this ruling .... no. Long time readers of this blog know that I have always been skeptical of this White House's drive to conduct civilian trials for terrorists who were caught in circumstances that (I knew) no civilian courtroom would accept. But who am I when the "legal scholar" in the Oval Office, officials in the Justice Department, media/reporters, pundits, legal experts, and lawyers thought differently.... hmmmm .... today's judgment shows that they are wrong.
To say that this acquittal is a legal disaster is an understatement, and puts into question President Obama's terror policies, his legal approach towards combating it, and .... I would even argue ... his ability to protect the nation against those who are dedicated to killing even more of us.
In any other administration Attorney General Eric Holder would resign, and a serious cleaning out of Department of Justice personnel responsible for this debacle would be initiated. But in this administration .... I doubt that it will happen. My prediction .... there will be a muted response from the Justice Department, and the media lapdogs for the White House will be focusing on President Obama's trip to Lisbon for the NATO get together this weekend.
On a positive note, there will no longer be any talk of 9/11 trials on U.S. soil, and the media will no longer put the spotlight on those who want to shut down Guantanamo.
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