Osama Bin Laden's former driver played a "vital role" in the conspiracy behind the 9/11 attacks, the prosecution has said in closing arguments at his trial.
Salim Hamdan protected the al-Qaeda leader in Afghanistan knowing his goals included killing Americans, the first Guantanamo war crimes tribunal heard.
But defence lawyers said the Yemeni national was a low-level employee, who was "not even an Guantanamo war crimes trial begins ...
First Guantanamo war crimes trial under way ...
Germany Pledges 420 Million Euros for Afghan Reconstruction ...
British death toll in Afghanistan reaches 100 ...
First German Quick Reaction Troops Head to Afghanistan ... al-Qaeda member".
He faces life in prison if convicted of conspiracy and supporting terrorism.
Mr Hamdan, who was captured in Afghanistan in November 2001, has pleaded not guilty and his defence team say he worked for wages, not to wage war on America.
Mr Hamdan has acknowledged working for Bin Laden in Afghanistan from 1997 to 2001 for $200 (Ј99) a month, but denies being part of al-Qaeda or taking part in any attacks.
He is the first prisoner to be tried by the US for war crimes since World War II.
'Guilt by association'
In its closing argument, the prosecution described Mr Hamdan as a loyal supporter of Osama Bin Laden.
"Al-Qaeda aimed to literally take down the West, to kill thousands, and they have; to create economic havoc, and they have.
"They needed enthusiastic, uncontrollably enthusiastic warriors, like that accused, right there, Salim Hamdan," said justice department prosecutor John Murphy.
Lawyers for Mr Hamdan said not one witness had testified that Mr Hamdan played any part in terrorist attacks. They questioned the fairness of the trial, which began on 21 July.
"This is a classic case of guilt by association," said Lieutenant Commander Brian Mizer, a military defence lawyer appointed by the Pentagon.
"Mr Hamdan is not an al-Qaeda warrior, he is not al-Qaeda's last line of defence - he's not even an al-Qaeda member," said Mr Mizer.
A jury of six military officers is expected to begin deliberating a verdict later on Monday.
Black hole
About 270 suspects remain in detention in Guantanamo Bay.
Among the dozens of other inmates due to be tried there in the coming months are men accused of plotting the 9/11 attacks.
Human rights campaigners have accused the court of operating in a legal black hole.
They and the other accused will be watching the out come of the Hamdan trial closely, correspondents say.
(BBC)
<< Back