A suspected al-Qaida terrorist facing charges in a 2002 grenade attack in Afghanistan has appeared before a military tribunal at the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Afghan Abdul Zahir is accused of hurling a grenade at a car carrying three journalists. A Toronto Star correspondent in the vehicle, Kathleen Kenna, suffered leg injuries in the attack. Zahir, who also faces charges of conspiracy and aiding the enemy, did not enter a plea.
Prosecutors allege Zahir aided the enemy by working as a translator and money courier for the al-Qaida terrorist network and by plotting attacks.
Proceedings were also scheduled this week for three other Guantanamo detainees.
Canadian teenager Omar Khadr is accused of throwing a grenade that killed a U.S. soldier in Afghanistan. Ethiopian Binyam Muhammad stands accused of plotting attacks, and Yemeni Ali Hamza al Bahlul is linked to al-Qaida.
So far, only 10 of the nearly 500 Guantanamo prisoners have been charged.
Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in a landmark case challenging the legality of military tribunals established by the Bush administration in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.