Court hearing for three Guantanamo inmates accused over 2002 Bali bombings

It is merely the first step in what could be a long legal journey for a case that involves evidence tainted by CIA torture, an issue that has caused other war crimes cases to languish for years at Guantanamo.

Camp Justice at Guantanamo Picture: Alex Brandon/AP

Three prisoners at the Guantanamo Bay detention centre had their first day in court after being held by the US for 18 years in connection with the deadly 2002 Bali nightclub bombings and other plots in Southeast Asia.

Indonesian prisoner Encep Nurjaman, known as Hambali, and two Malaysians started their arraignment at a hearing at the US base in Cuba that repeatedly stalled because of issues involving courtroom interpreters.