Charges dismissed against 16 White House demonstrators arrested in anti-torture protest

Charges dismissed against 16 White House demonstrators arrested in anti-torture protest

A judge dismissed charges against 16 anti-torture protesters arrested last year outside the White House.

The demonstrators were arrested Oct. 17 while attempting to present U.S. President George W. Bush with a petition opposing legislation he signed that day authorizing tough interrogation and prosecution of terror suspects.

The protesters say the law authorizes torture, reports AP.

The group was schedule to go on trial Wednesday on charges of interfering with agency functions when U.S. District Court Judge Deborah Robinson dismissed the case, said Mark Goldstone, the group's attorney-adviser.

They could have faced up to six months in jail if had they been convicted.