05 French former Guantanamo detainees released on appeal in Paris

The French court acquitted Tuesday on appeal 05 former inmates of the French American camp at Guantanamo Bay convicted at trial in 2007 to one year in prison for criminal association in relation with terrorism.

•     The Paris Court of Appeal held that the investigation process, conducted at Guantanamo by the French anti-spying between 2002 and 2004, was "irregular".
  
      The judges cancelled the minutes of questioning and suggested "that nothing (allowed) establishing" guilt of the accused.
  
      On 19 December 2007, the Paris Criminal Court had sentenced Brahim Yadel, 37, to five years in prison, four suspended, and Mourad Benchellali, 26, Nizar Sassi, 27, Khaled Ben Mustapha, 35, and Redouane Khalid, 39, to four years imprisonment, three sentences. A sixth defendant was acquitted.
  
      Trialled for preparations of terrorist acts, they were accused for having joined between 2000 and 2001 Afghanistan, before being arrested and imprisoned between two and three years at the Guantanamo camp in Cuba.
  
      The closure of this camp highly contested was announced by U.S. President Barack Obama since he took office in January.
  
      The five prisoners, now free in view of the already made pre-trial detention, had appealed.
  
      
  Ennaharonline/ M. O.