A Russian man charged with leading a Taliban attack against US forces in Afghanistan pleaded not guilty to terrorism charges today and was ordered held until his April 13 trial.
Irek Hamidullin was arraigned on 12 counts, including providing material support to terrorists, trying to destroy US military aircraft and conspiring to use a weapon of mass destruction.
Half of the charges are punishable by up to life in prison. Attorney General Eric Holder chose not to seek the death penalty for the weapon of mass destruction charge, Assistant US Attorney James Gillis said at the 15-minute hearing.
Hamidullin is the first military detainee from Afghanistan to be brought to the US for trial.
His transfer represents the latest attempt by the Obama administration to show that it can use the criminal court system to deal with terror suspects a move criticized by some Republican lawmakers who believe such cases should be handled by military tribunals.
US officials say Hamidullin is a Russian veteran of the Soviet war in Afghanistan who stayed in the country and joined the Taliban.
He was captured in 2009 after an attack on Afghan border police and US soldiers in Khowst province. He had been held at the US Parwan detention facility at Bagram airfield before being brought to the US.
"I am not guilty," Hamidullin said when US District Judge Henry Hudson asked for his plea. Hamidullin asked for a jury trial.
Without hearing any evidence beyond what is in court papers, Hudson ordered Hamidullin to remain in the custody of US marshals. He said detention is warranted because of the nature of the charges, Hamidullin's lack of connections to the US, and his alleged affiliation with a foreign terrorist organization.
Hamidullin appeared in shackles amid heavy security. He speaks English but was assisted by an Arabic translator.
According to the 19-page indictment, Hamidullin was an officer and tank commander in the Russian military during the 1980s and was trained in the use of such weapons as anti-aircraft machine guns and portable rockets. He became affiliated with the Taliban in 2001.
