News Service from House Harris

US: First Gitmo detainee arrives in US for trial

WASHINGTON, June 9 AP - US authorities have brought the first Guantanamo Bay detainee to the United States, flying him into New York to face trial for bombing US embassies in Tanzania and Kenya, the Justice Department said on Tuesday.

The department said Ahmed Ghailani arrived in the early morning hours of Tuesday after US marshals took custody of Ghailani from his military jailers and brought him to the metropolitan correctional centre in Manhattan.

Ghailani is scheduled to appear in Manhattan federal court later on Tuesday.

Ghailani's trial will be an important test case for President Barack Obama's plan to close the detention centre at Guantanamo in seven months and bring some of the suspects to trial.

The US response to the 2001 terror attacks may also complicate Ghailani's case, as defence lawyers will likely mount a number of legal challenges to try to throw out the charges, based on the circumstances of his capture, detention and treatment over the years.

Attorney-General Eric Holder said it was time to hold Ghailani accountable for his alleged role in the attacks.

"The Justice Department has a long history of securely detaining and successfully prosecuting terror suspects through the criminal justice system, and we will bring that experience to bear in seeking justice in this case," Holder said in a statement.

Ghailani is set to appear in court before Judge Loretta Preska at 2000 GMT (1000 AEST).