Guantanamo Bay hearings to resume

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/8152182.stm

Version 0 of 1.

Military hearings are due to resume later in the US naval base in Guantanamo Bay on Cuba.

In January, US President Barack Obama signed an order halting the controversial military trials process for terrorist suspects.

But he now says he will press ahead with the military commissions after introducing a number of safeguards.

The five men accused of plotting the 9/11 attacks are among detainees due to appear in court this week.

Many thought President Obama had sounded the death knell for military commissions at Guantanamo Bay.

'Administrative hearings'

But the hearings this week - in a high-security courtroom behind razor-wire fences - show the process is still active.

Mr Obama has promised to close down Guantanamo by January next year. But he is facing huge obstacles <a class="" href="/2/hi/americas/7770782.stm">Obama's Guantanamo dilemma</a> <a class="" href="/2/hi/americas/5134328.stm">Q&A: Military tribunals</a> <a class="" href="/2/hi/americas/7239580.stm">Profile: Key 9/11 suspects</a>

Although the trials proper are still on hold, there will be a number of what have been called "administrative hearings".

Military lawyers say they are ready to prosecute 66 detainees held at Guantanamo Bay as soon as they get the order to proceed from their commander-in-chief.

President Obama has promised to close down the prison at Guantanamo by January next year.

But he is facing huge obstacles.

Only a dozen detainees have been transferred out of the facility in the past six months.

Congress has voiced strong opposition to bringing terrorist suspects to the US for trail.

Nevertheless military lawyers representing the five men accused of planning the attacks on 9/11 say this week could mark their last appearance in a Guantanamo courtroom before they are separated and moved.