Hicks guilty plea to escape Guantanamo hell, says father

THE unexpected guilty plea of an Australian who was the first Guantanamo detainee to stand trial before a military tribunal was likely linked to a deal with prosecutors, the man’s father said yesterday.

David Hicks, a 31-year-old former kangaroo skinner, entered the surprise plea at the first session of the tribunals set up after the US Supreme Court struck down the Pentagon’s previous efforts to try Guantanamo prisoners. The military said he could be sentenced this week and will likely be returned to Australia this year to serve his time there.

Mr Hicks appeared focused as his Pentagon-appointed attorney told the judge his client was pleading guilty to one of two counts of providing material support for terrorism. Asked by the judge if this was correct, Mr Hicks said solemnly: “Yes, sir.”