The Office of Military Commissions (OMC) invites media to cover pre-trial proceedings in the case of United States v. Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri scheduled for April 25-May 6, 2022. Specific coverage windows are identified below as they relate to flight availability. Media desiring to cover this hearing from the Expeditionary Legal Complex located in Naval Station Guantanamo Bay (NSGB) Cuba must complete the online travel request form to initiate the approval process.
Deadline: All requests must be received no later than noon EDT, Friday, Feb. 11.
Registration Note: Multiple requesters from the same organization must register separately via the online travel request form. On the registration form, please use the drop down button to select this case (United States v. Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri) as the one you desire to attend. Then, complete all information requested. Due to a limited number of seats aboard the flight and limited accommodations at NSGB, selection is not guaranteed.
Logistics
Qualifying news media will travel to NSGB on a military-chartered aircraft from Joint Base Andrews (JBA), which is located just outside of DC in Maryland. Media members should be prepared to make adequate travel arrangements to get to JBA for respective flight. Cost of the military-chartered flight is $800.
The tentative flight schedule for this pre-trial hearing is below (all flights leave/depart on a Saturday):
- SAT April 23 – JBA to NSGB
- SAT April 30 – JBA to NSGB & NSGB to JBA
- SAT May 7 – NSGB to JBA
Please note that the flight schedule, to include departure and arrival locations, is subject to change.
Important: All media must ensure their passports and visas, as applicable, are up-to-date and eligible to enter and exit the United States. Media should be prepared to fill out additional documents and provide passport information following completion of online registration form.
Coverage Considerations
The primary purpose of this media invite is courtroom reporting. Photography or other media devices are not permitted in the courtroom. You may be afforded time to acquire b-roll video/still photos outside the Expeditionary Legal Complex, as well as the ability to do live shots as required. Tours of the detention facilities are not available. Please keep this in mind as you consider your coverage footprint from your respective outlet.
Requests for reporting on Guantanamo Bay topics beyond the scope of the military commissions system will be referred to respective public affairs office responsible for that topic area. OMC PA staff will provide applicable contact info prior to travel for coordination if schedule permits.
COVID Requirements
Media who can provide proof of being fully vaccinated (post 14-days from receiving complete COVID-19 vaccination of a DoD approved vaccination) will be considered for travel on the OMC charter flight. Media who are not fully vaccinated may not view the hearing from NSGB. Selected media will also be required to provide printed proof of a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) COVID-19 viral test within 72 hours prior to the charter flight departure.
Once on NSGB, media members may be subject to surveillance testing and will adhere to personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements directed by the NSGB Commanding Officer, the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, or the military judge.
Alternative Viewing Site
Additional viewing is available for media via Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) from a media work center at Fort George G. Meade, in Maryland. Regular COVID-19 mitigation protocols, such as mask wearing and social distancing apply at all locations, although media viewing from Fort Meade are not subject to COVID-19 testing requirements.
Media desiring to view this hearing from Fort Meade must send their requests via email to osd.mc-alex.OMC.mbx.omc-pa@mail.mil with the following information (multiple requesters from the same organization must send separate emails):
Email Subject Line: Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri, 25APR – 6MAY 2022
Individual's full name
Individual's occupation/position
Sponsoring organization (News Outlet)
Contact information (cell phone and email)
Stock Imagery
Expeditionary Legal Complex – B-roll 2017
Expeditionary Legal Complex – Photos 2014
http://www.dvidshub.net/image/1710409/expeditionary-legal-complex-guantanamo-bay-cuba#.VLAavzZOk-4
Further information including the media ground rules can be viewed at the Office of Military Commissions website at https://www.mc.mil.