A federal judge this afternoon has ordered the release of 17 Uighurs from the notorious U.S. prison at Guantanamo.

Del Quentin Wilber reports on The Washington Post website:

"U.S. District Judge Ricardo M. Urbina issued the landmark ruling in the case of a small band of captives, known as Uighurs, who have been held at Guantanamo for nearly seven years and are no longer considered enemy combatants by the U.S. government.

"At a hearing packed with Uighurs who live in the Washington area, Urbina rejected government arguments that he had no authority to order the men's release. He said he had such authority because the men were being held indefinitely and it was the only remedy available. He cited a June decision by an appellate court that found evidence against the Uighurs to be unreliable."

The Bush administration protested the ruling that orders the Uighurs to appear in Judge Urbina's court this Friday.

Reports the BBC web site:

"Justice department attorney John C O'Quinn's request to delay the detainees' release pending a possible appeal was denied by the judge.

"White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said the ruling "could be used as precedent for other detainees held at Guantanamo Bay, including sworn enemies of the United States suspected of planning the attacks of 9/11, who may also seek release into our country". "

I will have more to say on this wonderful and correct decision in future posts.