Hamdan on tape at war crimes trial

Prosecutors play Salim Hamdan interrogation tapes in Guantanamo Bay Court House.

The hillside courthouse at the U.S. Navy base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Inside terror suspect Salim Hamdan leaves the court room after the prosecution plays videotape of his interrogation soon after his capture in Afghanistan in 2001.

Prosecutors say Hamdan is an al Qaeda insider, his defense says he was merely a driver for al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden.

Hamdan is charged with conspiracy and providing material support for terrorism.

Hamdan was led out by guards, saying "I can't. I'm sorry," returning about an hour later.

The tapes showed Hamdan, kneeling, shackled and being interrogated before a masked American soldier. In the video, Hamdan said he worked for an Islamic charity and said he heard of Al Qaeda training centers but did not know any.

Prosecutor Colonel Lawrence Morris

SOUNDBITE: Prosecutor Colonel Lawrence Morris, saying (English):

"What you saw there was Mr. Hamdan's own words closest in time to his capture, and it ran for a long period of time because it was important to show that this was not subject to government editing or manipulation. This is not just what he said but also how he was treated. And then that will be evaluated by the jury of course."

Hamdan attorneys had a different take on the interrogations and proceedings.

Chief Defense Counsel, Colonel Steven David:

SOUNDBITE: Chief Defense Counsel, Colonel Steven David, saying (English):

"I am hoping the clouds will part and someone will decide that enough is enough, and we have a better system to try these cases in and one that has precedent and one that has credibility."

If convicted of conspiracy and supporting terrorism, Hamdan faces a maximum life sentence.

Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters