OFFLINE

In a move that has angered some congressional Republicans, a Somali man accused of having ties to two terrorist groups - who was secretly interrogated for months aboard a U.S. Navy ship - will be prosecuted in civilian court in New York by the Justice Department, the Obama administration said.

The indictment unsealed in the Southern District of New York charges Ahmed Abdulkadir Warsame with nine counts related to supporting the Al Qaeda in Yemen and the Shabab in Somalia terror groups - but the White House didn’t reveal his capture until after he had already been brought onto American soil.

In a statement, Rep. Buck McKeon (R-Calif.), the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee denounced the Obama administration's actions.

“The transfer of this terrorist detainee directly contradicts congressional intent and the will of the American people,” he said on Tuesday. “Congress has spoken clearly multiple times of the perils of bringing terrorists onto U.S. soil. It is unacceptable that the administration notified Congress only after it unilaterally transferred this detainee to New York City despite multiple requests for consultation.”

Warsame’s capture was not announced until after he arrived in New York late Monday, avoiding congressional opposition to bringing him into the country. Late last year, Congress voted to bar the transport of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay to the United States to face trial. Attorney General Eric Holder has been a strong proponent of trying suspected terrorists in civilian courts.

Warsame is the first foreign terrorism suspect to be captured abroad and brought to the United States for civil trial.

Military and intelligence interrogators on the ship questioned him for two months before law enforcement officials were brought in to prepare for the indictment.

The indictment filed on Tuesday says that Warsame joined the Shabab in 2007 and in 2009 began working with Al Qaeda. The Justice Department called him a “Shabab leader,” though other government officials have downplayed his role in the terrorist group, saying his capture is most important because of the intelligence he’s provided.

OFFLINE

thoughts?

OFFLINE

Eric Holder again.He and Obama are determined to give terror suspects captured on foreign soil Miranda rights and let them lawyer up.  Last time they did this, about 100 charges were dropped and the suspect almost got away scot-free.  This will probably be no different.

Man, I cant wait for the elections...

OFFLINE

Originally Posted by Dennis Young:

Man, I cant wait for the elections...

i felt the same way about the 2010 midterms. this has been a long 3 years.

OFFLINE

no one else has an opinion on this?