Call for transparency in case of detained AP photographer after US authorities say they have finally brought charges against him

Reporters Without Borders today called on the US authorities to act transparently in the case of Associated Press photographer Bilal Hussein after the US defence department announced yesterday that it has finally brought criminal charges against him before an Iraqi court after holding him without charge since 12 April 2006. “It has taken more than a year and a half for the US military to initiate judicial proceedings against this journalist and yet they still have not revealed the charges,” the press freedom organisation said. “The judicial vagueness surrounding this case is disturbing and unacceptable. Hussein's lawyers will have to appear in court without being able to prepare their client's defence as the US authorities refuse to say in advance what evidence they have.” The exact charges against Hussein, an Iraqi national, have not been revealed during the 19 months he has been held, although the military have indicated several times that he is suspected of having “inappropriate” links to insurgents because of they photos they let him take. The AP's lawyers conducted their own investigation in Iraq and, according to one of them, found “no evidence that Bilal Hussein carried out any activity other than that linked to a journalist in a war zone.” US defence department spokesman Geoff Morrell yesterday claimed that the US military had “convincing and irrefutable evidence that Bilal Hussein is a threat to stability and security in Iraq.” The Iraqi court that has received the US charges must now decide whether there are grounds for bringing Hussein to trial. A first hearing is to be held on 28 November. AP president and CEO Tom Curley yesterday reiterated the US news agency's call for Hussein's release. “While we are hopeful that there could be some resolution to Bilal Hussein's long detention, we have grave concerns that his rights under the law continue to be ignored and even abused,” he added. Hussein, 36, was arrested on 12 April 2006 by US soldiers in Ramadi (110 km west of Baghdad) after they entered his home in order to turn it into a temporary observation post. He is being held in Camp Cropper, near Baghdad airport. On the same subject: Camp Bucca and Guantanamo: when America imprisons journalists 12.10.2007 - Call for release of AP photographer Bilal Hussein, held by US army for 18 months 12.04.2007 - Letter to Robert Gates on first anniversary of AP photographer Bilal Hussein's arrest 19.09.2006 - Detention and murder : the nightmare continues for journalists