Quote:
Originally Posted by Torplexed
Wasn't the Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega tried in a US federal court after being overthrown and captured in 1989?
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Well, yes. But other than drug and racketeering charges, I don't think Noriega attacked the US by force of terrorism or military action. We invaded Panama. After the invasion, I'm sure military tribunal could have been used, but they deemed a trial in Federal court appropriate due to the civil nature of drug movements as a federal offense, and money laundering. You'll recall we didn't try Saddam Hussein either in military tribunal. We served him up to Iraqi civilian court justice. In the case of International terrorism, and mass murder as an act of war, I would say that a military tribunal would have been the most appropriate forum for the Islamist "detainees". Especially in light of what we face bringing them to US soil for what is to become an admitted show trial by KSM's own defense team.