US Supreme Court to hear Guantanamo prisoner appeals

THE Supreme Court will hear its first case arising from the American government’s anti-terrorism campaign following the September 11 attacks, agreeing yesterday to consider whether foreigners held at a Navy base in Cuba should have access to American courts.

The appeals came from British, Australian and Kuwaiti citizens held with more than 600 others suspected of being Taliban or al-Qaida foot soldiers. Most were picked up in Afghanistan following the attacks of two years ago.

The court combined the men’s appeals and will hear the consolidated case sometime next year.