Algerians in Guantanamo challenge

Guantanamo's Camp Delta compound has housed prisoners since 2002

Six Algerian inmates of Guantanamo Bay have begun a legal bid to be released from their detention, in the first such challenge in a US civilian court.

A federal judge in Washington is hearing arguments from both sides and will make a decision later this month.

This is the first such case since the US Supreme Court granted Guantanamo Bay detainees the right to challenge their detention in civilian courts in July.

Some 270 men are held at the naval base on suspicion of links to terrorism.

The six Algerians were arrested in Bosnia in the weeks following the 11 September 2001 attacks on New York and Washington and have been held without charge ever since.

They deny government claims that they were planning to travel to Afghanistan to fight with al-Qaeda and the Taleban against US troops.