Iraqi Conviction Overturned, Munaf to Face High Court

by Nina Totenberg, NPR

The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the case of Mohammed Munaf, a U.S. citizen detained by the U.S. military Iraq and tried in an Iraqi court for kidnapping. Munaf was then sentenced to death.

But now, Munaf's lawyers have formally notified the Supreme Court that an Iraqi appellate court has set aside his conviction, as the supposed basis for his conviction — a transcript of Munaf's confession and written statements of witnesses against him — could not be found.

Munaf has been in the custody of the multinational force near Baghdad International Airport. His U.S. case is scheduled for argument in the Supreme Court on March 25.

Broadcast Dates

• All Things Considered, February 29, 2008