Ex-Gitmo inmate takes Australia to UN

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Ex-Gitmo inmate takes Australia to UN

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A former Guantanamo Bay inmate is going to challenge US ally Canberra's handling of his case.

21 August,2011 05:28 pm

David Hicks, 35, was captured in Afghanistan after the 9/11 attacks and spent five-and-a-half years in the US-run prison at Guantanamo Bay before being convicted by a Military Commission of providing material support for terrorism.He was sentenced to seven years jail, all but nine months of which was suspended, and was transferred from Guantanamo to an Australian prison in 2007 to serve out his term, subject to a 12-month gag order.The former Outback cattleman is now appealing to the United Nations Human Rights Committee, seeking compensation and an apology from Australia for upholding and enforcing what he claims was an unlawful charge and penalty.It is his first major challenge to his detention and conviction under the controversial Military Commission system.