Court Backs Citizenship Bid by Terror Suspect

Britain’s Court of Appeal backed a bid for citizenship by an Australian held at the U.S. prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

David Hicks, 30, was captured by U.S. forces in Afghanistan in November 2001 and accused of being an Al Qaeda fighter. His mother was born in Britain, and he hopes London will secure his release from the camp as it did for nine British nationals.

The Court of Appeal ruling rejected a challenge from Home Secretary Charles Clarke. The government could appeal to the House of Lords.

Hicks has pleaded not guilty to U.S. charges of aiding the enemy, attempted murder and conspiracy to commit war crimes.