(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-02-28 11:07

WASHINGTON -- A Yemeni alleged to have run al-Qaeda's media operations will face charges at a military commission trial in the United States, the CNN reported Wednesday.

Ali Hamza Ahmad Suliman al-Bahlul, 39, is currently being detained in the US naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and a schedule is currently being arranged for his trial that could start in 30 days.

He faces life in prison.

Al-Bahlul allegedly traveled to Afghanistan in February 1999 to join al-Qaeda, where he attended "military-type training" and "armed himself to protect and prevent the capture of Osama bin Laden."

He subsequently "served as the personal director and media director of Osama bin Laden," researched the impact of September 11, created a video about the destruction of a US attacker and prepared "propaganda declarations," according to the Pentagon.

Civil liberties groups have challenged the legitimacy of military commissions, which do not provide the same rights as civil courts.

At present around 80 of Guantanamo Bay's 275 detainees are expected to face trial by military commission.