(Dem) Lawmaker cites AP photographer's case (Iraqi held by military)

[Barrett808]

Lawmaker cites AP photographer's case
By DEVLIN BARRETT, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - A Democratic congresswoman cited the case of an Iraqi Associated Press photographer imprisoned by the U.S. military during debate Wednesday on a new prisoner treatment bill that she considers too harsh.

Rep. Louise Slaughter, D-N.Y., referred to Bilal Hussein, who has been detained in Iraq for more than five months, in a speech on the floor of the House of Representatives.

"He was accused of aiding and abetting the insurgency, but he has yet to be charged with any crime," Slaughter said. She noted that the AP has demanded that Hussein either be released or charged so that he can be turned over to the Iraqi court system for trial.

Slaughter said she also planned to write to Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld about Hussein's case.

"Imagine if another nation held an American citizen without charging him of a crime?" she asked. "What are we supposed to say about our country today?"

(more)

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060927/ap_on_go_co/photographer_detained

[flyarm]

1. K&R THANKS!! N/T

[Supersedeas]

2. Good question: WHAT are we supposed to say about our country