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US Delays Trial of Australian Accused of Fighting for Taleban

update

U.S. military officials have announced they are delaying the trial of an Australian man accused of fighting for Afghanistan's ousted Taleban regime.

The presiding officer, Colonel Peter Brownback, granted the delay Wednesday to allow for what he called a full and fair trial of Australian David Hicks. Mr. Hicks has been detained at Guantanamo Bay since he was captured in late 2001.

Officials said the trial has been moved to March 15 from its originally scheduled date of January 10.

David Hicks was among the first of the detainees at Guantanamo to be arraigned before a military tribunal. He has pleaded not guilty to charges of aiding the enemy, conspiracy to commit war crimes and attempted murder while fighting alongside the Taleban.

Mr. Hicks' father, Terry, welcomed the delay, saying the defense needs more time to plan its case.

Some information for this report provided by AFP, AP.

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