Washington, Oct 4 : US President Barack Obama hoped Osama bin Laden would be taken alive by US Navy SEALS so that he could face trial in a civilian courtroom, it was claimed on Wednesday.
A new book reveals that the Commander in Chief wanted to give the mastermind of the September 11 attacks the full rights of any civilian defendant, including government-sponsored defense lawyers and the right to confront witnesses.
Obama hoped it would show the world that America was committed to due process.
In 'The Finish,' journalist Mark Bowden quotes the president as saying he expected bin Laden to go down fighting.
A team of Navy SEALs raided bin Laden's compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan in May 2011 and killed the terrorist leader.
The Associated Press purchased a copy of 'The Finish,' which is due to come out October 16, a few weeks before the presidential election. The revelation that Obama hoped to capture bin Laden may provide political fodder for Republicans who have criticized the Obama administration for trying to bring terrorists from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and overseas to trials in U.S. courts.