American lawyer defends Sudanese Guantanamo inmate

 

Khartoum, Sudan (PANA) - A US lawyer defending a Sudanese held in Guantanamo Bay has approached the authorities in Khartoum for help in gathering information relevant to the defence of her client, whom the Americans believe was once a personal aide of the wanted Al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Ladin.

Local press reports Tuesday quoted Sharon Schaeffer, who is holding brief for Ibrahim al-Qosi as stressing that "the collection of data is very significant for defending the accused before the (US) court."

The military lawyer, who is currently in Sudan said she had approached some government ministries for enough information that could refute the allegations and credibility of statements presented by prosecution witnesses.

Lt-Col. Schaeffer would travel to Atbara town, about 350 km north of Khartoum to see Qosi's family and hand them a message in which he reassured them of his sound physical and psychological health.

She added that she would meet his family, classmates and friends to get more information and witnesses to challenge the charges against Qosi.

She has so far met senior officials at the Justice Ministry and Sudanese Bar Association.

US forces arrested Qosi at the borders between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Schaeffer said Qosi's morale was high after he was moved from solitary detention to collective custody.
 
Khartoum - 15/12/2004
 
Your Feedback

Subscribe | Contact Us | Webmaster | Copyright Notice