DAVID Hicks's US military lawyer, Major Michael Mori, has been passed over for promotion and knocked back as a trainee judge in what appears to be payback for his work on behalf of the Guantanamo Bay detainee.
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Major Mori, 41, whose zealous defence of Hicks since November 2003 was admired by many Australians and instrumental in Hicks' lenient deal, has an uncertain future with the military and could potentially be assigned to non-legal work. While it was expected he would be reassigned once his defence of Hicks was complete, it is believed Major Mori has been offered remote postings, including Guam and Chile, with only limited options for remaining on the US mainland.
The Sydney Morning Herald also believes Major Mori has recently been rejected for promotion from major to lieutenant-colonel and refused an application to attend a military judge's course at Army Judge Advocate General (JAG) School, which would have qualified him as a military magistrate. Major Mori has ruled out rumours he was looking for a new career in the food service industry Australia, but could not be contacted this week. |