Prisoner with no connection to terrorism 'deprived of his liberty,' for 26 months by Dept of Justice prosecutors: "federal prosecutors and FBI and immigration agents engaged in a 'sham' to make it appear that Benatta was being held for immigration violations. Prosecutors trampled on legal deadlines intended to protect his constitutional rights and later offered explanations for their maneuvers that 'bordered on ridiculousness,' [investigating Judge] Schroeder wrote. And he found that the government compounded its mistakes by failing to act once it was clear that Benatta was not an accomplice to terrorists.
'The defendant in this case undeniably was deprived of his liberty,' Schroeder wrote, 'and held in custody under harsh conditions which can be said to be oppressive.' To keep Benatta imprisoned any longer, the magistrate concluded, 'would be to join in the charade that has been perpetrated.' "
- posted by geoff @ #