Weeks After Prosecutor's Resignation, U.S. Drops Charges Against 5 Gitmo Prisoners -- But Won't Release Them : Indybay

The US military announced Tuesday that it had dropped all charges against five men held at Guantanamo Bay prison, but added that it had no plans to release them. The news came just weeks after the resignation of Lt. Col. Darrel Vandeveld who was the prosecutor in all 5 cases. He had accused the military of deliberately withholding evidence that could have helped clear them.

One of the five men is the Ethiopian-born Binyam Mohammed. His lawyer, Clive Stafford Smith said: “Far from being a victory for Mr. Mohamed in his long-running struggle for justice, this is more of the same farce that is Guantanamo.” He said the military has already said it plans to file new charges against Mohamed within a month.

Meanwhile the White House has confirmed reports that President Bush has no plans to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay before leaving office. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said on Tuesday that it was an issue for the next administration and Congress to take up.

Michael Ratner, president of the Center for Constitutional Rights.

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Weeks After Prosecutor's Resignation, U.S. Drops Charges Against 5 Gitmo Prisoners -- But Won't Release Them

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