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Ex-Guantanamo inmate Omar Khadr due in Canadian court Ex-Guantanamo inmate Omar Khadr appears in Canadian court
(about 5 hours later)
A former Guantanamo detainee is expected in court, in what would be his first public appearance since his capture in an Afghan firefight in 2002. A former Guantanamo detainee has appeared in a Canadian court, his first public outing since his capture in an Afghan firefight in 2002.
At the hearing in Alberta, Canada, lawyers for Omar Khadr, 27, will challenge his terms of imprisonment. Lawyers for Omar Khadr, 27, challenged his terms of imprisonment at a hearing in Alberta, Canada on Monday.
He was 15 when he was detained wounded in Afghanistan after a gun battle during which he killed a US soldier. He was 15 when detained, wounded, in Afghanistan after a gun battle during which he killed a US soldier.
He pleaded guilty to war crimes charges three years ago in exchange for an eight-year sentence. He pleaded guilty to war crimes charges three years ago in exchange for an eight-year prison sentence.
Khadr, a native of Toronto, was transferred to the Canadian prison system last year.Khadr, a native of Toronto, was transferred to the Canadian prison system last year.
'Heinous crimes''Heinous crimes'
Monday's hearing in the provincial capital of Edmonton seeks to determine whether Khadr's detention in an adult prison is legal, given he was under 18 years of age when first detained. Monday's hearing in the provincial capital of Edmonton sought to determine whether Khadr's detention in an adult prison was legal, given that he was under 18 years of age when first detained.
Khadr is not expected to address the court. Presiding Justice John Rooke did not immediately rule on the matter, saying he would issue a decision "at a later time". No specific time frame was given.
Khadr smiled and nodded toward a crowd of supporters during his first public appearance in 11 years, according to local media reports.
"I want them to see Omar Khadr," defence lawyer Dennis Edney told Canada's National Post newspaper."I want them to see Omar Khadr," defence lawyer Dennis Edney told Canada's National Post newspaper.
"I don't want him hidden away.""I don't want him hidden away."
Khadr was last seen in October 2010, though under strictly limited conditions, before a military court in Guantanamo, where he pleaded guilty to war crimes.Khadr was last seen in October 2010, though under strictly limited conditions, before a military court in Guantanamo, where he pleaded guilty to war crimes.
He received five concurrent eight-year sentences.He received five concurrent eight-year sentences.
After being transferred to Canada last year, he was first held at the maximum security Millhaven Institution in eastern Ontario, largely in isolation.After being transferred to Canada last year, he was first held at the maximum security Millhaven Institution in eastern Ontario, largely in isolation.
He was transferred to another maximum security prison in Edmonton, Alberta, in May.He was transferred to another maximum security prison in Edmonton, Alberta, in May.
According to the Toronto Star, he was assaulted at that facility by an inmate who accused him of killing a Canadian soldier.According to the Toronto Star, he was assaulted at that facility by an inmate who accused him of killing a Canadian soldier.
Mr Edney's case is based on whether Khadr's prison term should be considered a single youth sentence or five separate sentences with one considered a youth term.Mr Edney's case is based on whether Khadr's prison term should be considered a single youth sentence or five separate sentences with one considered a youth term.
The government argues he has been appropriately placed in an adult maximum security facility.The government argues he has been appropriately placed in an adult maximum security facility.
"Khadr pleaded guilty to heinous crimes," Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney said in a statement on Sunday."Khadr pleaded guilty to heinous crimes," Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney said in a statement on Sunday.
"The government of Canada will vigorously defend against any attempted court action to see him allowed onto Canadian streets sooner.""The government of Canada will vigorously defend against any attempted court action to see him allowed onto Canadian streets sooner."
If his application is successful, Khadr would serve the rest of his prison sentence in a provincial, not federal prison. He became eligible for parole in July, but has not applied.If his application is successful, Khadr would serve the rest of his prison sentence in a provincial, not federal prison. He became eligible for parole in July, but has not applied.