US military to turn over press photographer to Iraqi court

Washington: The US military has decided to turn over an Associated Press photographer to an Iraqi court for criminal prosecution, accusing him of having links to terrorist groups operating inside Iraq.

The photographer, Iraqi native Bilal Hussain, was taken into custody by US troops in Ramadi 19 months ago and has been detained ever since. Although an AP lawyer said Hussain has been held with little evidence, Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell said on Monday that the military decided to bring a criminal case after new evidence was uncovered.

"This case does not hinge on a single piece of evidence but rather a range of evidence that makes it clearer than before that Bilal Hussain is a terrorist media operative who infiltrated the AP," Morrell said.

AP officials have protested Hussain's detention and the difficulties they have had in legally defending him. Its own investigation supported none of the military's suspicions, the news organisation has reported.

Picked up

According to an AP investigation, Hussain was picked up after a bombing in Ramadi in April 2006 when he offered shelter and food to others fleeing the explosion.

Dave Tomlin, an associate general counsel for the AP, said Hussain did not personally know those fleeing, but the military linked him to them after finding them in the same home. "There's been lots of suspicions and rumours about who those people were, but nothing that constitutes proof," Tomlin said.

Morrell said two others in the house were detained; one was convicted for having false identification. He said Hussain was found with "insurgent propaganda," materials for making roadside bombs and surveillance photos of military installations.