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[[Image:David23.jpg‎|thumb|300px| Convicted terrorism supporter '''David Hicks'''.]]

[[Image:David23.jpg‎|thumb|300px| Convicted terrorism supporter '''David Hicks'''.]]

The [[Australian]], '''David Hicks''', was held in [[Guantanamo Bay]], Cuba for over five years by the [[United States of America]]'s military. A [[muslim]], he was originally charged with "conspiracy, attempted murder by an unprivileged belligerent and aiding the enemy." <ref>[http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Jun2004/d20040610cs.pdf Hicks' original charge sheet]</ref> but these charges were dropped "after the US Supreme Court ruled the original military commissions system established by [[President Bush]] unconstitutional without [[Congress|Congressional]] authorization." <ref>[http://jurist.law.pitt.edu/paperchase/2007/02/us-re-charging-guantanamo-detainees.php Some background on the charge process]</ref>  

The [[Australian]], '''David Hicks''', was held in [[Guantanamo Bay]], Cuba for over five years by the [[United States of America]]'s military. A [[Muslim]], he was originally charged with "conspiracy, attempted murder by an unprivileged belligerent and aiding the enemy." <ref>[http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Jun2004/d20040610cs.pdf Hicks' original charge sheet]</ref> but these charges were dropped "after the US Supreme Court ruled the original military commissions system established by [[President Bush]] unconstitutional without [[Congress|Congressional]] authorization." <ref>[http://jurist.law.pitt.edu/paperchase/2007/02/us-re-charging-guantanamo-detainees.php Some background on the charge process]</ref>  

Hicks was later charged with "providing material support of terrorism" and "attempted murder in violation of the law of war" - the latter charge was also dropped. <ref>[http://www.defenselink.mil/news/d20070301hicks.pdf The Hicks Charge Sheet]</ref> <ref>[http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/hicks-knew-fight-was-wrong/2007/03/26/1174761313462.html Hicks 'knew fight was wrong']</ref> On March 26, 2007 David Hicks pleaded guilty to the one remaining charge. "A prisoner exchange agreement between Australia and the US means Hicks will be allowed to serve out any remaining prison time in Australia, Foreign Minister [[Alexander Downer]] said today."<ref>[http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/hicks-pleads-guilty/2007/03/27/1174761414531.html Hicks 'home this year']</ref> News reports after the trial stated that "Hicks has pleaded guilty to only one of two counts under the charge. It says that, in Afghanistan during 2000 and 2001, he provided material support for [[al-Qaeda]], which was engaged in terrorism against the US. He pleaded not guilty to a second count that said he provided material support or resources "to be used in preparation for, or in carrying out, an act of terrorism". <ref>[http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/short-jail-term-tipped-for-hicks/2007/03/28/1174761567951.html Short Jail Term Tipped For Hicks]</ref>

Hicks was later charged with "providing material support of terrorism" and "attempted murder in violation of the law of war" - the latter charge was also dropped. <ref>[http://www.defenselink.mil/news/d20070301hicks.pdf The Hicks Charge Sheet]</ref> <ref>[http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/hicks-knew-fight-was-wrong/2007/03/26/1174761313462.html Hicks 'knew fight was wrong']</ref> On March 26, 2007 David Hicks pleaded guilty to the one remaining charge. "A prisoner exchange agreement between Australia and the US means Hicks will be allowed to serve out any remaining prison time in Australia, Foreign Minister [[Alexander Downer]] said today."<ref>[http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/hicks-pleads-guilty/2007/03/27/1174761414531.html Hicks 'home this year']</ref> News reports after the trial stated that "Hicks has pleaded guilty to only one of two counts under the charge. It says that, in Afghanistan during 2000 and 2001, he provided material support for [[al-Qaeda]], which was engaged in terrorism against the US. He pleaded not guilty to a second count that said he provided material support or resources "to be used in preparation for, or in carrying out, an act of terrorism". <ref>[http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/short-jail-term-tipped-for-hicks/2007/03/28/1174761567951.html Short Jail Term Tipped For Hicks]</ref>