11/9/2009 12:09 AM
ET
(RTTNews) -
The U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder says officials are reviewing which Guantanamo Bay detainees could face trial in American courts and that a decision on whether to try them in military or civilian courts would be taken by November 16.
"We will by November 16 make the determination as to who can be tried in the reformed military commissions, who can be tried in our article 3 federal courts," he said.
Holder, who is in Qatar attending the sixth Global Forum on Fighting Corruption and Safeguarding Integrity, said each case of the detainees was being closely monitored and reviewed and that a decision on the fate of many detainees had already been reached.
Holder also told reporters that authorities were working to meet the January 22 deadline, set by President Barack Obama, to close the notorious Guantanamo detention facility.
Admitting that the Guantanamo prisoner abuse has strained U.S. alliances overseas, Holder said Obama's pledge to shut down the prison is a signal of "the determination of this administration to change course."
Holder's comments came after the Senate last Thursday backed a plan that allows prosecution of suspects, including those accused in the September 11, 2001 attacks, in either federal courts or by a military commission.
The Guantanamo Bay prison had held 245 detainees when Obama assumed office in January and the number now has come down to about 220 of which about 60 or so may face prosecution while another 80 are awaiting their release.
by RTT Staff Writer
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