Ashcroft: Tribunal right for terror trial

OVERLAND, Kan., Nov. 20 (UPI) -- Former Attorney General John Ashcroft said Friday trying the alleged mastermind of the 2001 terrorist attacks in a U.S.civilian court risks national security.

Ashcroft gave a news conference during a trip to Overland Park, Kan., where he was helping Rep. Jim Tiahart, R-Kan., raise money for a run for the Senate, The Kansas City Star reported. He told reporters President Barack Obama must have approved the decision to transfer the trial of Khalid Sheik Mohammed and five others from a military tribunal to the federal courts, because Attorney General Eric Holder does not have "the authority to order the Defense Department around."

A civilian court trial could be dangerous in several ways, Ashcroft said. He suggested important national security information might become public and New York might again be a target for a terrorist attack.

Osama bin Laden gleaned valuable information from the trial of the men responsible for the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, Ashcroft said.

Ashcroft was attorney general during President George W. Bush's first term. He had previously been governor of Missouri and a U.S. senator.