[JURIST] An Afghan Guantanamo Bay [JURIST news archive] detainee alleged that he has been mistreated in custody and asked to boycott his upcoming trial at his first pretrial hearing before a military commission Wednesday. Mohammed Jawad [DOD materials] is charged [press release] with attempted murder [charge sheet, PDF] and intentionally causing serious bodily harm for allegedly throwing a grenade at two US soldiers and an interpreter in their vehicle on December 17, 2002 in Kabul. Jawad did not enter a plea Wednesday. A judge said that he could still be tried and convicted in absentia should he refuse to attend future proceedings. AP has more.

Jawad was the fourth Guantanamo detainee to be formally charged with war crimes under the 2006 Military Commissions Act [PDF text]. Military commission cases [DOD materials] have now been initiated against 14 current or former detainees.