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American Taliban fighter might not get death sentence
John Walker, an American who fought with the Taliban, might avoid death sentence and get off with life imprisonment or even a ten year prison term by sidestepping a treason charge.
John Walker, an American who fought with the Taliban, might avoid death sentence and get off with life imprisonment or even a ten year prison term by sidestepping a treason charge.
The prosecutors are preparing to charge him with violating a recently passed federal law which, makes it a crime to provide support to terrorists despite his confession.
The justice department ruled out a treason charge -punishable by death - due to a demanding legal standard that would require two witnesses to testify against him.
"US officials said the 20-year-old Californian was expected to be charged within days with materially supporting a terrorist organisation," television network reported.
The report coincided with new video footage in which Walker admits fighting for a branch of the Taliban Army funded by master terrorist Osama bin Laden.
"It's exactly what I thought it would be," Walker said when asked about his experience of jihad. Asked if he'd fought for the right cause he said, "definitely."
Speaking from a makeshift hospital bed, Walker said that he fought in with Arabic-speaking unit of a branch of the Taliban Army called Ansar, or guest, reserved for foreign fighters."
Bureau Report
The prosecutors are preparing to charge him with violating a recently passed federal law which, makes it a crime to provide support to terrorists despite his confession.
The justice department ruled out a treason charge -punishable by death - due to a demanding legal standard that would require two witnesses to testify against him.
"US officials said the 20-year-old Californian was expected to be charged within days with materially supporting a terrorist organisation," television network reported.
The report coincided with new video footage in which Walker admits fighting for a branch of the Taliban Army funded by master terrorist Osama bin Laden.
"It's exactly what I thought it would be," Walker said when asked about his experience of jihad. Asked if he'd fought for the right cause he said, "definitely."
Speaking from a makeshift hospital bed, Walker said that he fought in with Arabic-speaking unit of a branch of the Taliban Army called Ansar, or guest, reserved for foreign fighters."
Bureau Report