John Walker Lindh

Lindh, 23, who gained worldwide notoriety as the "American Taliban," has been in U.S. custody since late 2001, when he surrendered while fighting in Afghanistan. Captured alongside him was Hamdi, another young American whose experience shouldering a rifle for the Taliban closely mirrored Lindh's military journey through central Asia.

The United States decided to release Hamdi, 24, after the Supreme Court ruled this summer that the government could no longer hold him without charges or access to lawyers.

The Japan Times Weekly: Oct. 9, 2004
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