White House says Saipov should be considered ‘enemy combatant’

Washington Times – by Andrea Noble and Dave Boyer

The White House labeled New York terrorist suspect Sayfullo Saipov as an enemy combatant Wednesday, with an angry President Trump saying he would consider sending the alleged Islamist who killed eight pedestrians with a truck to the notorious military prison at Guantanamo Bay.

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the administration considers the 29-year-old Mr. Saipov, who emigrated to the U.S. from Uzbekistan, a fitting candidate for the military justice system in the war on terror.  

“I believe we would consider this person to be an enemy combatant, yes,” she told reporters. “I think the actions that he took certainly justify that.”

Justice Department spokesman Wyn Hornbuckle declined to comment Wednesday on whether there have been any discussions with the White House on sending Mr. Saipov to Guantanamo rather than filing criminal charges in a civilian court.

Federal authorities filed two criminal charges against Mr. Saipov Wednesday night in federal court, including providing material support for the Islamic State, but officials said the move doesn’t preclude the government declaring him an enemy combatant

Read the rest: https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/nov/1/wh-saipov-should-be-considered-enemy-combatant/

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