Khadr trial on hold,

We were told this morning following the collapse of Khadr's lone attorney Lt col Jon Jackson, that he is being airlifted to States hospital for care. Trial is on hold for 30 days or perhaps more.
We will be shipped out either today or tomorrow.

In the meantime, I want to share a link that Muna Shikaki of Al Aribiya, has produced using my sketches:

Al Aribiya video

Guantanamo Bay, Khadr day 4: trial begins

Omar Khadr's trial began today, with military jury present. However, for the first time since covering these commissions I was not allowed to draw the jury in any way- not even an outline. So you see large numbers representing them. At the end of the day one of the attorneys collapsed. We await word on his condition, though he was responsive. Thoughts to the positive.

Qosi sentenced and Khadr jury selection complete

A very interesting day in the Guantanamo courtrooms; the Qosi trial has concluded- first under Obama administration- and Khadr jury selection is complete. Khadr trial begins in earnest tomorrow morning.

The kicker is that I was told that drawing the panel(aka jury) is no longer allowed. Not even an outline, odd when you look at previous commissions I've sketched in, and you see the various services, ranks and genders of the military jury. It is a powerful image.

Here's hoping this can be overturned.

Omar Khadr suits up- Canadian press video

A nice use of my drawings by Colin Perkel of Canadian Press:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/video/omar-khadr-suits-up/article1668623/
Another video by Colin's was also featured in The New Yorker blog by Amy Davidson:
http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/closeread/2010/08/guantanamos-child-soldier-trial.html

Day two, Guantanamo court sketches

I did 'split shift' in the Guantanamo courts today, juggling Khadr/Qosi dashing from one to the other when there was a hold (twice in the qosi court). Managed to get three of Khadr done, though not as filled out as I'd liked. I did the Qosi courtroom in detailwhile waiting for things to begin- that drawing will post tomorrow once it's complete.

Guantanamo, day 1 of Khadr/Qosi sketches

Today I sketched at one court, then another while two cases were going at once; al Qosi and Omar Khadr. After 8 years in detention, Canadian Khadr is going to trial, slated to take between 2-6 weeks. Al Qosi is expected to be tried and sentenced much sooner, which will make it the first case going to completion under the Obama administration. Stay tuned for more sketches tomorrow.

Two cases at once happening in Guantanamo

Great article by Mike Melia of AP that explains it all:
http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/08/08/1766973/guantanamo-gears-up-for-1st-trial.html
I'll be dividing my time between both courts tomorrow, and then focusing on Omar Khadr thereafter. You will see postings as the week progresses.