Former bin Laden driver first test of Gitmo trials

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GUANTANAMO Jul 18 (AP): Salim Hamdan is a small player with a big role. A former driver for Osama bin Laden, he is about to become the first Guantanamo prisoner to be tried for war crimes in a major test of the US system for prosecuting alleged terrorists.

Hamdan is an unlikely candidate for the history books - a wiry Yemeni father of two with a fourth-grade education who is not accused of a direct role in any terrorist attacks.

He is scheduled to go on trial Monday on charges of conspiracy and supporting terrorism before a jury of military officers in a specially built courtroom at a former air strip at the US Navy base in Cuba. If convicted, he could be sentenced to life in prison.