SA: Hicks to get first visit from defence lawyers today

AAP General News (Australia)
12-11-2003
SA: Hicks to get first visit from defence lawyers today

ADELAIDE, Dec 11 AAP - Australian terror suspect David Hicks will today meet with his
defence lawyers for the first time since being detained in Guantanamo Bay two years ago.

Australian lawyer Stephen Kenny and US military lawyer, Marine Corps Major Michael
Mori, will be the first defence lawyers allowed into Guantanamo Bay.

Hicks last week became the first of about 660 terrorist suspects held at the detention
camp in Cuba to be assigned a lawyer, prompting speculation he would soon be charged.

The 28-year-old from Adelaide has been held by US forces without charge since being
captured with Taliban forces in Afghanistan in December 2001.

The two lawyers representing him have been gagged by the Pentagon from talking publicly
about specifics of the case, or the military court procedure.

Major Mori and Mr Kenny will spend the next five days with Hicks.

Major Mori said he would give 100 per cent to ensure justice for Hicks.

"I am fairly confident that, within the bounds of the rules that are set up, I can
do a zealous job for Mr Hicks," Major Mori said.

Hicks' father, Terry, said the lawyers would take with them video, letters, books,
chocolate and Vegemite from family in Adelaide.

"We just wanted him to know we're supporting him ... and let him know how the rest
of the family was going," Terry Hicks said.

"(The letters said) keep your chin up, keep hanging in there and hopefully it won't
be too long and we will catch up in person.

"There's a jar of Vegemite and a block of chocolate and a couple of books as well.

"It will just give him the idea that people are behind him, that we're behind him,
people in Australia are supporting him and people overseas are supporting him."

AAP la/sl/tma/de

KEYWORD: HICKS DAYLEAD

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