A Spanish judge known for his tenacious prosecution of extremists received rare praise from a defence lawyer today for helping to free his client from the US military prison in Guantanamo.
High Court Judge Baltasar Garzon, an investigating magistrate sometimes accused of heavy-handed tactics by defence lawyers, helped bring Spanish-born Hamed Abderrahman Ahmad to Spain to face trial by seeking his extradition in December.
Abderrahman yesterday became the first Guantanamo prisoner handed over to a foreign country for prosecution, and Judge Garzon is seeking the extradition of three others who are not Spanish. Judge Garzon has charged Abderrahman along with Osama bin Laden and some 30 others with belonging to al Qaeda, the international network blamed for the September 11th, 2001 hijacked plane attacks on the US.
"In 32 years (as a lawyer) I never thought I would have to be pleased that a client of mine was accused with a serious offence," defence lawyer Mr Javier Nart told a news conference.
"In addition to being accused of a serious offence he also has been converted into a human being again," Mr Nart said.