Former bin Laden driver pleads not guilty

[July 21, 2008]  GUANTANAMO BAY NAVAL BASE, Cuba (AP) -- The first war crimes trial at Guantanamo has begun with a not guilty plea from a former driver for Osama bin Laden.

Salim Hamdan entered the plea Monday through his lawyer under tight security at the U.S. Navy base in Cuba.

He is the first prisoner to face a U.S. war crimes trial since World War II.

Hamdan is charged with conspiracy and aiding terrorism. He could get up to life in prison if convicted.

The trial is expected to take three to four weeks with testimony from nearly two dozen Pentagon witnesses.

[Associated Press]

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