Prosecutors: Young Canadian comforted himself at Gitmo by thinking about killing US soldier

Prosecutors: Gitmo inmate took pride in slaying

GUANTANAMO BAY NAVAL BASE, Cuba — Military prosecutors alleged Thursday that Omar Khadr, a Canadian former child soldier and war crimes defendant, told jailers he comforted himself in his first days at Guantanamo by thinking about killing an American soldier.

Prosecutor Jeff Groharing said in his opening argument that Khadr conspired to with al-Qaida to kill as many Americans as possible. He is accused of throwing a grenade that killed a Delta Force medic in Afghanistan in 2002.

The Toronto-born detainee has pleaded not guilty to charges including murder and spying and denies throwing the grenade. His defense says Khadr himself was a victim because he was a child at the time and was influenced by his father, an alleged al-Qaida financier with close ties to Osama bin Laden.

Khadr was 15 when he was captured in 2002 and is the youngest prisoner at Guantanamo. He is also the only remaining Westerner.

Advocates have argued that prosecuting somebody who was so young at the time of the alleged offense violates international treaties protecting child soldiers.

Defense lawyers were to present their opening arguments later.