GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba, Oct. 30 (UPI) -- A military jury at Guantanamo Bay heard arguments Saturday on the sentencing of Omar Khadr, who admitted killing a U.S. soldier in Afghanistan.
The prosecution went first, calling the Toronto-born Canadian citizen "a terrorist and murderer" who should get 25 years in prison.
Lead prosecutor Jeff Groharing said Khadr intended to murder Americans, knew al-Qaida's aims "full well," and his offenses "amount to hate crimes in the extreme".
"The world is watching," said Groharing. "He must be punished severely. ... He doesn't fight for a country, he fights for a religion".
Khadr's lawyer, Lt. Col. Jon Jackson, said Saturday his client, who was 15 when he was captured in 2002, was forced to go to Afghanistan by his father and that al-Qaida is known to use children in its battles.
The prosecution's call for 25 years in prison defies a plea deal reportedly agreed to with Canada.
UPI
