San Juan (Puerto Rico): The judge presiding over the September 11 war crimes tribunal is allowing defence lawyers their first chance to see the secret section of the Guantanamo Bay prison where the accused are held.
Army Colonel James Pohl granted the defence teams less access to Camp 7 than requested. Lawyers for the five prisoners facing a military tribunal for their roles in the September 11 attacks wanted to spend 48 hours inside the camp. They also wanted multiple visits.
Pohl ruled that three members of each team can visit once, for no more than 12 continuous hours.
He barred them from interviewing guards.
Attorney James Connell called yesterday's ruling a good start. Camp 7 is so shrouded in secrecy that even its location on the US base in Cuba is classified.
PTI
First Published: Friday, February 22, 2013, 09:32