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17 April 2014

USG Probe: FBI's Seeking Snitch in 9/11 Defense

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A sends two messages:

From: "Connell, James G III CIV OSD OMC Defense" <James.Connell2[at]osd.mil>
Date: Apr 16, 2014 6:33 PM
Subject: Government appoints Special Trial Counsel to address FBI spying on Guantanamo defense teams
To: "Connell, James G III CIV OSD OMC Defense" <James.Connell2[at]osd.mil>
Cc: "Daste, Erin CTR OSD OMC Defense" <Erin.Daste.ctr[at]osd.mil>, "Thomas, Sterling R Lt Col OSD OMC Defense" <Sterling.Thomas[at]osd.mil>

Government appoints Special Trial Counsel to address FBI spying on Guantanamo defense teams

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: James Connell (5322) 5168

Alternate: Erin Daste (5322) 5321

GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA This afternoon, the military commissions prosecution filed a notice that it has detailed Special Trial Counsel to address the FBI questioning of a defense team member.

In addition, the defense has filed its witness requests as directed by the military commission. Among others, the defense has requested testimony from the FBI agents who questioned the defense team member, an FBI agent assigned to the prosecution office, and a prosecutor who also works for the FBI.

“We are pleased that, at last, the prosecution has begun to take seriously the repercussions of the FBI’s attempt to penetrate the defense teams, ” said Lt Col Sterling R. Thomas, USAF, military defense counsel for Ammar al Baluchi. “How can a person trust the defense team the government has provided when he has to worry about whether the government has infiltrated it?”

As of 6:30 p.m., the military commission has not indicated whether it will hold a session tomorrow. Counsel for Mr. al Baluchi assume that there will be a session unless informed otherwise.

James Connell and Lt Col Sterling Thomas, United States Air Force, are detailed counsel for Ammar al Baluchi, also known as Ali Abdul Aziz Ali.

###


From: Connell, James G III CIV OSD OMC Defense <James.Connell2[at]osd.mil>
Date: Wed, Apr 16, 2014 at 9:45 PM
Subject: Special Trial Counsel requests halt to proceedings on FBI spying allegations
To: "Connell, James G III CIV OSD OMC Defense" <James.Connell2[at]osd.mil>
Cc: "Thomas, Sterling R Lt Col OSD OMC Defense"
<Sterling.Thomas[at]osd.mil>, "Daste, Erin CTR OSD OMC Defense"
<Erin.Daste.ctr[at]osd.mil>

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: James Connell (5399) 5168

Alternate: Erin Daste (5399) 5321

GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA At approximately 9:00 p.m., newly detailed Special Trial Counsel filed a motion (AE292F) asking the military commission to take no further action on allegations of FBI intrusion into Guantanamo defense teams until he files a response on Monday, April 21.

The Special Trial Counsel seeks to represent the government's interests without involving the regular prosecution team.

"The government's attempt to introduce a Trojan Horse behind the wall of attorney-client privilege is a serious issue, and the appointment of Special Trial Counsel shows that the government is taking it seriously," said Lt Col Sterling Thomas, USAF, a former prosecutor and detailed military counsel for Ammar al Baluchi.

The Special Trial Counsel also noted that he would seek to file his response on April 21 without providing a copy to the defense.

James Connell, detailed civilian counsel for Mr. al Baluchi, said he will oppose any attempt to exclude the defense from the investigation.

"The defense is the key player in any investigation into the breach, and the government's effort to stop the defense from learning the facts has the interests exactly backwards."

James Connell and Lt Col Sterling Thomas, United States Air Force, are detailed counsel for Ammar al Baluchi, also known as Ali Abdul Aziz Ali.

###