The families of survivors and victims of a deadly attack have been waiting for justice for nearly two decades. Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri, a Saudi prisoner in U.S. custody since 2002, was first charged in 2011 in connection to the attack, making his case the longest-running capital case at Guantánamo Bay.
After years of legal wrangling, a judge recently announced a target date for the trial, bringing hope to those affected by the attack. Paul Abney, a senior sailor on the ship targeted in the attack, expressed his relief at the judge’s decision, calling it “inspiring.”
However, there are still many hurdles to overcome before the trial can begin. Colonel Fitzgerald, the presiding judge, has 14 more weeks of hearings scheduled for 2024 to address pretrial matters such as the admissibility of evidence, proposed witnesses, and the trial process itself.
One major issue looming over the case is an appeal by the government to reinstate confessions made by Mr. Nashiri after years of torture. The defense and prosecution are expected to take the matter to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, a process that could prolong the trial.
This is not the first time a trial date has been set for Mr. Nashiri. In 2020, a trial date was set for February 2022, but the pandemic forced the court to close for over 500 days, delaying the proceedings. Colonel Fitzgerald, an unusual judge with a diverse military background, is now tasked with overseeing this complex and high-profile case.
As the families of the victims continue to wait for justice, the legal process moves forward, bringing hope that closure may finally be within reach.
