Federal Appeals Court Denies Day in Court for Victim of CIA Kidnapping, Citing “State Secrets”

[kpete]

Federal Appeals Court Denies Day in Court for Victim of CIA Kidnapping, Citing “State Secrets” (3/2/2007)


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ACLU Considers Supreme Court Appeal in Case of Khaled El-Masri; Urges Congress to End Human Rights Abuses


NEW YORK – The American Civil Liberties Union today expressed its disappointment with an appeals court ruling upholding the dismissal of the case of Khaled El-Masri, an innocent victim of the CIA’s policy of “extraordinary rendition.”

Although El-Masri’s case has been discussed and investigated throughout the world, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled today that it could not be either discussed or reviewed in an American court because of the government’s invocation of the “state secrets” privilege.

“Regrettably, today’s decision allows CIA officials to disregard the law with impunity by making it virtually impossible to challenge their actions in court,” said ACLU Executive Director Anthony D. Romero. “With today’s ruling, the state secrets doctrine has become a shield that covers even the most blatant abuses of power.”

The ACLU said it was reviewing the opinion and will consider an appeal to the United States Supreme Court.

more at:
http://www.aclu.org/safefree/extraordinaryrendition/28772prs20070302.html