The Department of Defense invites media to cover pre-trial proceedings Dec. 9-13 for Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri, the defendant charged in the attack on the USS Cole (DDG 67). This is the last scheduled hearing for calendar year 2024.
The proceedings will take place at the Expeditionary Legal Complex located in Naval Station Guantanamo Bay (NSGB) Cuba and transmitted to select closed circuit television sites in the U.S.
Media may choose to travel to NSGB if agreeable to coverage window outlined below and willing to pay flight fees associated ($800); coverage window is determined by the flight schedule, which is Saturday to Saturday. Specific ground rules will follow registration.
Media members should note the primary purpose of this invitation is to cover the military commissions. Tours of the detention facilities are not available. Requests for reporting on Guantanamo topics unrelated to the military commissions — such as the naval base facilities or personnel — must be coordinated in advance through the respective public officer who has authority over those topics. OMC public affairs can provide point of contact information as needed.
Coverage windows:
· Dec. 9-13
Registration: Click here for registration and select the appropriate case and dates as outlined above.
Deadline: All requests must be received no later than 5 p.m. Eastern time, Friday, Sep. 27.
Additional details of travel preparations will be provided separately. By submitting the online request form, interested media will begin the travel process and respective OMC PAO will assist in travel preparations.
CCTV Site
Media desiring to view this hearing from the media-designated viewing site at Fort Meade, Maryland must send their requests via email to osd.mc-alex.OMC.mbx.omc-pa@mail.mil with e-mail subject line matching the court case and applicable media information: name, position, sponsoring organization and contact info.
Media may contact Ronald Flesvig, OMC Public Affairs Director, for additional questions at ronald.flesvig2.civ@mail.mil or (571) 372-3713.
Case information can be viewed at the Office of Military Commissions website: https://www.mc.mil.