Court to rule if federal agents can arrest suspects abroad

Court to rule if federal agents can arrest suspects abroad
Gina Holland, Associated Press

Published December 2, 2003 SCOT02

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Supreme Court agreed Monday to decide whether people working for the U.S. government can covertly arrest suspects in other countries, a case the Bush administration said is a key test of U.S. terror-fighting powers.

The justices will review a lower court decision critical of such law enforcement actions. In appealing that ruling, the administration said kidnappings of suspects in uncooperative countries are very rare but sometimes needed to ensure justice and protect national security.

Solicitor General Theodore Olson said that if the decision by the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco was allowed to stand, it would jeopardize U.S. efforts "to apprehend individuals who may be abroad, plotting other illegal attacks" in the United States.

For example, he said, federal agents could not bring Osama bin Laden to the United States from his presumed hideout near the Pakistan-Afghanistan frontier to face charges in the Sept. 11 attacks.

more..................

http://www.startribune.com/stories/484/4243127.html

:tinfoilhat:

Why would an American court presume that it has jurisdiction to violate another country's sovreignity? I can only think that this is to demonstrate that power and international arrogance of the Justice Department.

"...kidnappings of suspects in uncooperative countries are very rare but sometimes needed..."

Thank-you...I needed that slap in the face

It reminds me that these United States are no longer a bonafide member of the community of nations that abides by international law.

No wonder Bush refuses to allow the US to recognize the authority of the world court. Given the choice every criminal would argue that they don't recognize the court their being tried in.

what would keep the chilean secret police from kidnapping kissinger to stand trial in chile?

has the state dept thought about that?

this just is further evidence to the world community that laws dont matter, only force.

Has the SCOTUS ever heard of "the law of the land"?