Air Force translator arraigned

  • Published
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AFPN) --  The opening session in the court-martial case involving Senior Airman Ahmad A. Al Halabi convened here Jan. 13. The accused is charged with Uniform Code of Military Justice violations including failure to obey a lawful general order, making false official statements and attempted espionage.

The accused, assigned to the 60th Air Mobility Wing, was arraigned by Col. Barbara G. Brand, the military judge of the Central Circuit Judiciary at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas; however, receipt of Airman Al Halabi’s pleas was postponed pending rulings on anticipated motions.

Charges included six specifications alleging the accused failed to obey a lawful general order or regulation in violation of Article 92, three specifications alleging attempted espionage in violation of Article 106a, and five specifications alleging the accused made false official statements in violation of Article 107. He is also charged with two specifications under Article 134 alleging he willfully retained documents without authority in violation of 18 U.S. Code 793, and one specification under Article 134 alleging he executed a fraudulent credit application scheme in violation of 18 USC 1344.

Airman Al Halabi was on temporary duty at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for nine months serving as an Arabic language translator at the time of the alleged offenses. He was apprehended at Jacksonville Naval Air Station, Fla., on July 23 and was transported here the following day. He is currently being held in pretrial confinement at Vandenberg AFB, Calif.

The judge is expected to hear motions March 24. The court-martial is tentatively scheduled to assemble with members and hear evidence on the charges April 27. (Courtesy of Air Mobility Command News Service)