Friday, May 29, 2020

Military Commissions Media Invitation Announced for United States v. Khalid Shaikh Mohammad et al.

May 29, 2020

The Department of Defense (DoD) and the Office of Military Commissions (OMC) will allocate seats for news media aboard military-chartered aircraft for travel to and from Joint Base Andrews (JBA) to Naval Station Guantanamo Bay (NSGB) to cover Military Commission pre-trial proceedings scheduled for United States v. Khalid Shaikh Mohammad et al., July 20-31, 2020.

In accordance with DoD guidelines regarding travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic and NSGB Instruction 6210.0, all military and civilians shall perform a 14-day restriction of movement upon arrival at NSGB.

Reporters are not required to stay for the entire duration of scheduled hearings. Although subject to change, the available flight schedule will be the following: 

  • Sunday, July 5 – Joint Base Andrews to NSGB
  • Saturday, July 25 – NSGB to Joint Base Andrews 
  • Saturday, August 1 – NSGB to Joint Base Andrews 

Media desiring to view this hearing from NSGB must complete the registration form. All requests must be received no later than noon EDT, Friday, June 5. Multiple requesters from the same organization must register separately via the form.

Due to a limited number of seats aboard the flight and limited accommodations at Guantanamo Bay, selection is not guaranteed. 

Additional viewing is available for media members via Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) from a media work center at Fort George G. Meade, Md.

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: 

Subject line: Case Name and Date

  • Individual's full name
  • Individual's position
  • Sponsoring organization
  • Contact information (cell phone and email)

NOTE 1: There are no tours of detention camps scheduled during military commissions. Requests for reporting on Guantanamo topics not related to the military commissions must be coordinated through OSD Public Affairs and the Joint Task Force Guantanamo public affairs office. The primary purpose of travel to Guantanamo Bay is courtroom reporting.

NOTE 2: All media must ensure their passports and visas (foreign press) are up-to-date and eligible to enter and exit the United States.

Expeditionary Legal Complex – B-roll 2017  

Expeditionary Legal Complex – Photos 2014

Further information including the media ground rules can be viewed at the Office of Military Commissions website.

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