Headlines Package - October 20, 2008

• Fort Dix Trial Begins – Pre-emptive Prosecution?
• SCOTUS To Consider  Additional Charges for Undocumented Workers
• Violence in Afghanistan Continues – Civilian Casualties Climb
• US-Iraq Pact
• Nepal’s High Court Says Mentally Ill Can’t Be Housed in Jails
• Chinese Oil Workers Still Missing in Sudan

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Fort Dix Trial Begins – Pre-emptive Prosecution?
Opening arguments began today in a trial that tests a key government strategy in terrorism cases -- the case of the Fort Dix Five. Karen Miller has more.

Opening arguments began today in the case of five Muslim men that the US Government claims were devising a plot to kill solders at Fort Dix. New Jersey. Lawyers for the defense say even though the defendants may have spoken out against America that does not mean they intended to commit a crime. The men are all foreign born Muslims who spent most of their lives in the US. The government used what are now known as cold inserts – or informants who ingratiate themselves into groups and are paid either with money or by the dismissal of immigration or other legal problems. The cold insert strategy has been used with increasing regularity since 9/11 and is controversial. Critics say the potential for abuse is much higher than that of the traditional method of flipping a witness who is already part of a targeted group. In this case, the informants made hundreds of hours of secret recordings of the defendants. The defense will question the informants’ character and motives. They will also question whether they prodded the Fort Dix Five into discussing a plot.  Prosecutors say the men scouted out military bases, bought weapons and trained in paintball games and shooting ranges in anticipation of an attack -- even though nothing happened. Experts are troubled by this pre-emptive prosecution.  The men face attempted murder, conspiracy and weapons offenses charges and could be sentenced to life in prison if convicted. For FSRN, I‘m Karen Miller.

SCOTUS To Consider  Additional Charges for Undocumented Workers
The Supreme Court announced today that it will consider whether undocumented immigrants can be aggressively prosecuted for aggravated identity theft when using false IDs to qualify for employment.  Federal authorities have increasingly been bringing the more serious charges against undocumented immigrants, including many who were arrested in recent raids on meatpacking plants.

Violence in Afghanistan Continues – Civilian Casualties Climb
Rampant violence continues in Afghanistan where an aid worker and civilians – including children – are among the dead today. Asma Nemati is in Kabul.

Early this morning, Gayle Williams, a female aid worker of UK and South African nationalities was killed by two gunmen on a motorbike near Kabul University. The Taliban claimed responsibility for Williams' death, noting that they killed her because she was proselytizing by working for a Christian organization called Serve Afghanistan, a group that provides services for Afghans with disabilities. The Taliban also claimed responsibility for the death of at least 27 civilians traveling by bus in the Southern Afghanistan province of Kandahar. The attack occurred last Thursday, but the bodies were found today. The Taliban claim that the killed were soldiers but Afghan officials said all victims were civilians since soldiers only travel in military convoys or by air. Meanwhile, a suicide blast on a patrol by NATO's International Security Assistance Force has left five children and two Germans soldiers dead in the northern Afghanistan province of Kunduz.  For Free Speech Radio News, I'm Asma Nemati reporting from Kabul, Afghanistan.

US-Iraq Pact
A pact between the US and Iraq is still on the drawing board -- according to the Agence France Press or AFP, the latest draft agreement stipulates that US combat forces will withdraw from Iraqi towns and villages by June 2009 and from the country completely by December 2011. The AFP also reports that Washington has agreed to allow Baghdad to prosecute US soldiers and civilians for serious offences committed off base and off duty. Iraq’s Cabinet is scheduled to discuss the draft tomorrow before a final vote in Parliament. If the deal is signed by Baghdad and Washington and approved by the Iraqi parliament, it will become effective January 1 and last for three years.

Nepal’s High Court Says Mentally Ill Can’t Be Housed in Jails
The Nepalese Supreme Court overturned a law that allowed the state to detain and incarcerate mentally ill persons. PC Dubey reports.

The high court has also explicitly ruled that the mentally ill need care and treatment as they suffer from an illness and have no criminal psyche. Psychiatrist Meena Kashyap:  “They actually need care and concern more than medication." She hopes the verdict will end the agony of nearly 50,000 mentally ill prisoners either languishing in shackles in their own homes or state run jails in the country. Attorney Ravikant Mishra adds that   the country's decades old Disabled Protection Act permits such cruel treatment. But with the high court's order they would no longer be meted out such brutality. Mishra further says the beauty of the judgment lies   in the landmark order mandating state authorities provide appropriate treatment to the mentally ill at the state's costs. From Nepal, PC Dubey.

Chinese Oil Workers Still Missing in Sudan
Sudanese forces continue to search for nine Chinese oil workers who were kidnapped from a oil rich tribal area that has seen broad protests over oil revenues. Locals say the under-developed region has seen little of the oil wealth that has filled government coffers. Sudan produces about 500,000 barrels per day of crude and China is the biggest foreign investor in the African country.