Arab Times (Story Link) Kuwait City, January 22, 2012 (AFP): Kuwait’s Supreme Court on Sunday confirmed the acquittal of six nationals charged with plotting attacks on a US military base in 2009 after forming an al-Qaeda cell, one of their lawyers said.
The ruling is final after the men were also acquitted by a lower court in May 2010 and by the Court of Appeal in November 2010, Abdullah Al-Kundari said in a statement.
The men, along with two other fugitives, were charged with plotting to attack the US military base at Arifjan, 70 kms (45 miles) south of Kuwait City, that is home to more than 15,000 American troops.
The case of the two others, who were tried and acquitted in absentia by the lower courts, did not come up before the Supreme Court because they are still outside the country.
Five of the men were arrested in August 2009 while the sixth defendant was already serving a life sentence for a 2002 attack on the US military in Kuwait that killed an American soldier.
All the defendants denied the charges and said they were tortured during interrogation.
*** Most US Companies in Kuwait do not offer danger pay (uplift) anymore (if ever). Read this article and tell me it's not dangerous to work here on the US camps in Kuwait. Kuwait is a small country and the Arifjan 6 are probably much more than just 6. They are free to walk around and plan their next attack on the US bases / soft targets while sipping coffee right next to us. This is unbelievable and makes me sick to my stomach!
Practice OPSEC! Be aware of your surroundings and who is listening. Always be prepared for an attack and stop being so damn complacent because you work in Kuwait.
I think its pretty crazy that they were acquitted because of torture during interrogation. Yes, I believe torture is wrong but there should be some other type of process that comes into play in situations like these so that people who are caught red handed in attempting to plot or carry out a terrorist attack are still held accountable for their actions and suffer the consequences. I myself am in Kuwait right now, at Camp Buehring. The fact that, yes, they could be out there right now drinking coffee and discussing what their next attack attempt will be doesn't sit very well in my stomach...
ReplyDeleteHi Victor ~ I agree with you 100%! The only thing that makes me feel a little better is the fact that I'm sure they are being monitored 24/7 by the Kuwaitis and their allies.
DeleteCamp Buehring is one of the camps I do inspections on. Gosh, what a long drive right? ;) Thanks for your comment and enjoy the beautiful Kuwaiti weather this weekend.