First Combatant Status Tribunal Conducted at Guantanamo Today
July 30, 2004

The Department of Defense conducted the first Combatant Status Review Tribunal today for detainees held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. This tribunal is a fact based administrative proceeding to determine if the detainee is properly classified as an enemy combatant and to present each detainee the opportunity to contest such designation as an enemy combatant.

The tribunal was comprised of three neutral officers an Air Force Col. who served as President of the Tribunal, an Air Force Lt. Col. and a Navy Cmdr. Todays tribunal examined the case of one detainee. The detainee elected to appear in person before the tribunal and did not call any witnesses.

The record of the tribunals decision will be forwarded to the Convening Authority’s legal advisor who will review the record for legal sufficiency. The legal review will specifically address the tribunals decisions regarding information considered and compliance with the implementing guidance. The legal advisor will forward a recommendation to the Convening Authority, Rear Adm. James McGarrah, who will either approve the tribunals decision or return the record to the tribunal for further proceedings.

The Convening Authority’s decision will only be made after a thorough legal review.

The order establishing the tribunals, the Combatant Status Review Tribunal implementing guidance and a DoD Fact Sheet are available at:

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Jul2004/d20040707review.pdf
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Jul2004/d20040730comb.pdf

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Jul2004/d20040707factsheet.pdf