11/1/2005
Idema and team found innocent in new trial; still not released
If you’re looking for pieces on Jack Idema and his team, please click on this link.
All members of TASK FORCE SABER 7 were declared innocent of all charges by the Afghan Second Court, which granted a trial de novo (a new trial) in November 2004. In closed hearings which took place between December 2004 and March 2005, Idema and his men were ordered released by the Appeals Court based on new evidence and the decision was consequently endorsed by the Supreme Court of Afghanistan.
Idema, Bennett, and Caraballo were found innocent of all charges and Appeals Court Acting Chief Judge Saheb Noor along with Appeals Court Judges Abdul Latif (011-93-70287222 [speaks English]) and Chief Religious Judge Mawlawi Azizullah stated on the record during the closed hearing that there had been absolutely no evidence of torture and that the original two bomb suspects that gave statements against the team were in fact terrorists and had committed perjury in the first court hearing in July 2004. Three men were already released in December after being found innocent and in mid-March 2005 all men were pronounced NOT GUILTY. The Court and the accused originally agreed to delay announcement for ten days to prepare a press conference and presentation of the evidence. At the orders of Ambassador Khalilzad, this was swiftly stopped.
The case still didn’t end in the Afghan Court of Appeals, and the US Department of State insisted that the Court delay their official written decision until former Chief Judge Ismail Abed returned from the United States. Judge Abed was sent to the United States paid for by the DOS and the US Department of Justice.
Does this stink or what? The judge is sent on an all expenses paid vacation courtesy of our tax dollars while Idema and his team languish in prison after they were all declared not guilty?
Judge Abed has just been revealed to be a cousin or relative of Mohammed Sidiq, the Hezb-i-Islami terrorist which Task Force Saber 7 captured with Mullah Omar and Hekmatyar documents on his person (both Omar and Hekmatyar are on the US Most Wanted Terrorist List). Abed is also a cousin of anti-Northern Alliance Chief Judge Shinwari.
In this piece at Afgha.com in February of 2005, they talk about how Mullah Omar and Hekmatyar were excluded from those who were offered amnesty.
15.02.2005
The amnesty offer announced for the armed Afghan opposition groups would not be applicable to elusive Taliban chief Mullah Mohammad Omar and former Prime Minister Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, a presidential spokesman said Tuesday.“Those Afghans who have not committed crimes can take advantage from the amnesty and return home but the people will not accept Mullah Omar and Hekmatyar,” Jawed Ludin told reporters here at a news briefing.
His comments came just a day after the confirmation of a Taliban delegation in Kabul for talks with government for reconciliation.
US Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad told journalists Monday that a group of Taliban would soon switch sides to give the ongoing peace process in the post-war nation a boost.
He also rejected any negotiations with Hekmatyar, saying the former prime minister was misleading Afghans and should be brought to justice.
Interestingly, Mullah Omar and Hekmatyar are now conspicuously missing from the most wanted terrorist list.
Thanks to TMH’s Bacon Bits
jack idema
afghanistan
Technorati Search for Jack Idema
More blogs about task force sabre 7.
Ron’s Musings linked with Free Jack Idema Blogburst
Rottweiler Puppy linked with Free Jack Idema Blogburst
November 2nd, 2005 at 2:08 am
Cao thank you so much for all the work you have done on this. I have been looking for information and you have it all. You are doing an awesome thing and I pray everyday that this nightmare will end and Jack and all of Task Foce Saber 7 will go free.
I posted about it at my blog and linked to your blog so others will be directed to you for more information.
November 2nd, 2005 at 5:47 am
Thanks. It’s important that this story get out–it’s a serious miscarriage of justice. Considering what a frightening place Pulacharke Prison is–we have to get them the hell out of there.
This is what Peter Bergen (the author of Holy War, Inc.) said about the place (he visited and interviewed Idema at Pulacharke for his “Shadow Warrior” piece at Rolling Stone Magazine):
December 27th, 2006 at 1:59 pm
[…] One of the things that needs stressing about the case of illegally-imprisoned U.S. Special Forces soldier Jack Idema is his complete innocence. When this is pointed out, week after week, it’s important that readers don’t conclude this is simply a matter of those campaigning for Jack’s release claiming he’s an innocent man. No, Jack’s innocence is a matter of fact, and has been for the past two years: All members of TASK FORCE SABER 7 were declared innocent of all charges by the Afghan Second Court, which granted a trial de novo (a new trial) in November 2004. In closed hearings which took place between December 2004 and March 2005, Idema and his men were ordered released by the Appeals Court based on new evidence and the decision was consequently endorsed by the Supreme Court of Afghanistan.Idema, Bennett, and Caraballo were found innocent of all charges and Appeals Court Acting Chief Judge Saheb Noor along with Appeals Court Judges Abdul Latif (011-93-70287222 [speaks English]) and Chief Religious Judge Mawlawi Azizullah stated on the record during the closed hearing that there had been absolutely no evidence of torture and that the original two bomb suspects that gave statements against the team were in fact terrorists and had committed perjury in the first court hearing in July 2004. […]
December 27th, 2006 at 2:12 pm
[…] One of the things that needs stressing about the case of illegally-imprisoned U.S. Special Forces soldier Jack Idema is his complete innocence. When this is pointed out, week after week, it’s important that readers don’t conclude this is simply a matter of those campaigning for Jack’s release claiming he’s an innocent man. No, Jack’s innocence is a matter of fact, and has been for the past two years: […]