Lindh

U.S. troops posed for photos with bound Lindh

CRAIG GORDON AND JOHN RILEY, NEWSDAY

Originally published Saturday, April 13, 2002

WASHINGTON -- The Pentagon has uncovered photos showing Special Forces soldiers posing with a bound John Walker Lindh in which a derogatory term has been written on Lindh's blindfold, a U.S. government official confirmed Friday.

Pictures portraying Lindh as a captured trophy, which lawyers for the "American Taliban" have been seeking in his criminal case, could support Lindh's claims that he was mistreated by U.S. troops and assist his efforts to show that statements he made under interrogation should be suppressed at his trial.

The existence of the pictures, described as possible "souvenir" photos in Lindh's legal papers, was first reported by CBS. The television network said the derogatory term scrawled on Lindh's blindfold was a synonym for "scum" and a "humiliating obscenity."

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said Friday he didn't know anything about the photos. Lawyers for Lindh declined to comment.

Also as part of a written court filing, Lindh's lawyers last month released a picture of him in Afghanistan, blindfolded, strapped to a stretcher and naked.

Defense officials have said that while that photo may have appeared shocking, it was taken out of context because he was naked as part of his preparation for medical treatment.

Lindh, a Californian who converted to Islam and joined the Taliban in its fight against the Northern Alliance, is accused of conspiring to kill Americans overseas and a variety of other charges. He has pleaded not guilty.

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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