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Breaking News

Justice to Take Custody of Walker

Aired January 15, 2002 - 14:45   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: We want to go back to our John King, who is standing by in Washington. He has got some more on the other breaking story that we had just moments ago, the case of John Walker, the American fighting with the Taliban -- John.

JOHN KING, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Leon, hello again to you. Still very sketch details, but we are told the attorney general and his deputy in charge of the criminal division will announce at least a beginning of their case against the American Taliban fighter John Walker.

We are told that he will be charged at least with aiding abetting terrorists and terrorist organizations. Under that law or federal criminal statute he would be tried in the federal court system. And again, we are told that his handover from the Department of Defense, he has been under military protection and custody, to the Department of Justice is imminent.

John walker will be returned to the United States to face criminal charges here. More details to be announced later today from the Justice Department. This after review within the administration. They obviously understand the political sensitivities of this case because this is an American being charged in this case and this will be handled now, it has been decided, by the Justice Department.

John walker's turnover we are told, into Justice Department custody is imminent. Again a senior administration official a short time ago said he didn't believe it had happened as of yet. He said he was quite certain of that, but we will get more details on the charges in just a short while from the attorney general. We are told they include an alleged federal violation of the law prohibits any American citizen from aiding and abetting terrorists -- Leon.

HARRIS: All right, thank you very much. John King reporting from the White House, on that story. We will get back to that story. We understand that press conference taking place in another 45 minutes or so.

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