Australian terror suspect complains of 'show trial' in US

A lawyer representing Australian terror suspect David Hicks has accused the American Government of planning a "Stalinist show trial" in order to convict and possibly execute him as quickly as possible.

Richard Bourke, who has been representing Hicks in the United States, said his client was being denied his rights under both the Australian and American legal systems.

Hicks, 27, is one of six people slated to be in the first group to face new military tribunals established by US President George W. Bush after the September 11, 2001, attacks.

Hicks has been held without charge at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for more than 18 months.

He allegedly fought with the Taleban in Afghanistan.