A former driver of Osama bin Laden moved from Al-Qaida leader to a safe place days before the attacks of September 11 because “an operation was on its way”, a former FBI agent has claimed.
The officer made the request during the military trial of Salim Hamdan, a Yemeni national, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
The agent’s remarks follow allegations by the prosecution on Tuesday, Hamdan knew that the target of a fourth hijacked plane attacks against the USA in 2001, which killed nearly 3000 people.
The plane - United Airlines Flight 93 - crashed in a field in the state of Pennsylvania after passengers apparently fought against the hijackers.
Salim Hamdan bin Laden would have heard that the plane is heading towards “the dome”, in reference to the USA Capitol, Lieutenant Commander Navy Stone said Timothy.
Hamdan, a Yemeni held at the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba for nearly seven years, is accused of conspiracy and supporting terrorism.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges and could face life imprisonment if convicted.
Al Jazeera Monica Villamizar, who is attending the trial at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, said the agent, Ali Soufan, gave a detailed account in which he also introduced several photographs including images where Hamdan is armed and standing near bin Laden as proof he was part of Bin Laden circle.
However, the defence said this does not prove Hamdan is indeed guilty of conspiracy, “she said.
The atmosphere is very tense in court, with Hamdan times it seems stressed and consulting with his lawyer and interpreter as Soufan testified, our correspondent adds.
“No important role”
Hamdan defence, Harry Schneider, said his client was merely an employee of bin Laden and had no role in the attacks, widely thought to have been committed by Al Qaeda.
Captain Keith Allred, the officer who presides over the court had already dealt a blow to the prosecution a decision that they could not use evidence because it was obtained by “coercive” when conditions Hamdan has held in Bagram, Afghanistan after his capture in 2001.
The judge also left open the possibility of launching further evidence of an interrogation in 2003.
However, he rejected the request of defence lawyers to ban statements made by Hamdan during his six years at the Guantanamo camp.
The judge said that Hamdan was a prisoner designated as an “enemy combatant” the protections guaranteed by the Constitution of the USA against self-incrimination does not apply.
Allred decision on evidence obtained by coercion could present difficulties in the forthcoming trial at Guantanamo, including the case of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged Al-Qaeda brains behind the attacks of September 11.
The defense also plans to question at least two suspects on September 11 planners, including Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, who is also held at Guantanamo Bay.
Earlier this month five men, including Mohammed, were charged with crimes related to the attacks of September 11.
The court of war crimes was strongly criticized by human and rights groups as unfair.
The detainees were held for years without charge and USA said they can be held until “the end of hostilities.”
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