Associated Press photographer Bilal Hussein begins his third year in U.S. military detention Saturday with the bulk of accusations against him dropped by Iraqi judges and press freedom groups renewing calls for his release.
But the Pentagon said Hussein will be held until it reviews the Iraqi amnesty ruling and also said it reserves the option to ignore the decision and keep Hussein in custody.
A four-judge Iraqi judicial panel on Monday halted terrorism-related proceedings against Hussein, saying his case falls under Iraq's 2-month-old amnesty law. The law - which was supported by Washington - allows the amnesty panel to effectively close a case without making findings of guilt or innocence.
Press freedom groups have hailed the decision and appealed for the immediate release of Hussein, 36, who has been in custody since his arrest by U.S. Marines on April 12, 2006, in Ramadi, about 70 miles west of Baghdad.
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