Long in brig, alleged Al-Qaida agent in US court

Alleged Al-Qaida sleeper agent Ali al-Marri, smiling and seemingly relaxed, appeared in federal court Tuesday to face terror charges – his first time outside a nearby military brig in more than five years.

Al-Marri, who was held without charge as an enemy combatant, now faces civilian federal charges in Illinois of providing material support to terror and conspiracy.

Last month, President Barack Obama ordered al-Marri to surrender to civil authorities after he was indicted in federal court in Peoria, Ill. Around the same time, the administration asked the U.S. Supreme Court to dismiss a legal challenge by al-Marri to his military detention, which the court agreed to do last week.

The 43-year-old Qatar native made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert Carr, telling the judge he understood the charges and his rights. He is expected to enter a formal plea when returned to Illinois.

But al-Marri will appear again before Carr on March 18 as his attorney, Andy Savage, argues that he should be released on bond.

Until his transfer or release on bond, prosecutors and defense attorneys agreed to keep al-Marri in a civilian cell at the Navy brig where he’s been held since 2003, allowing him more access to his attorneys than he had during his years of detention as an enemy combatant.

Handcuffed and wearing a gray, hooded sweatshirt, gray sweatpants, a long black beard flecked with gray and a close-fitting cap, al-Marri entered the courtroom for the 10-minute hearing and shared a quiet laugh with Savage.

He smiled and glanced around the courtroom as his attorney pointed out courtroom officials.

Al-Marri replied “Yes, sir” when asked whether he understood the charges and his rights and whether Savage was his attorney.

Six U.S. marshals stood by the back door of the courtroom during the hearing while four others stood directly behind the defense table.

Savage told reporters later his client was glad to get out of the brig, if only for a short time.

“He was very pleased to be outside and very pleased to be in a court environment but it was dark outside and he was disappointed he didn’t get to see much of Charleston,” Savage said.