News / World
David Hicks Found Guilty; Faces up to Seven Years for Supporting Terrorism
Australian citizen David Hicks is facing up to seven years in prison after being found guilty of providing material support for terrorism. The 31-year-old Hicks was convicted of the charge in a U.S. war-crimes trial on Friday.
Hicks has spent the last five years in U.S. custody at Guantanamo Bay after he was captured in Afghanistan and found to be aiding al-Qaida. During the trial Hicks admitted to conducting surveillance on the former American Embassy in Kabul
The Muslim convert had been facing a sentence of life in prison before entering a plea agreement in which he admitted his guilt. As part of the plea agreement Hicks had a charge of supporting terrorist acts dismissed.
In exchange for the reduced charges Hicks will be required to cooperate with U.S. and Australian authorities, recant statements that he made concerning abuse he suffered in while detained by the U.S., and surrender any proceeds he may make for telling his story concerning his activities in Afghanistan.
If Hicks violates any of these terms he could have his prison sentence extended.
Hicks will be allowed to serve his sentence in Australia.
