Detainee Transfer Announced

The Department of Defense announced today that Ibrahim al Qosi was transferred from the detention facility at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to Sudan. 

In July 2010, al Qosi pleaded guilty in a military commission to both conspiracy and providing material support for terrorism, as defined by the Military Commissions Act.  He was sentenced to 14 years confinement for his crimes.  In exchange for cooperating with prosecutors as required by the terms of his pre-trial agreement, the Convening Authority for Military Commissions suspended all but two years of that sentence, starting from July 7, 2010, the date of his plea.  The United States government has returned al Qosi to Sudan at the conclusion of the unsuspended portion of his sentence.

The United States coordinated with the government of Sudan regarding appropriate security and humane treatment measures.  In accordance with statutory reporting requirements, the administration informed Congress of its intent to transfer al Qosi to Sudan.

Documents related to al Qosi’s military commission proceedings are available on the Office of Military Commissions website at: http://www.mc.mil/ .

Today, 168 detainees remain at the detention center in Guantanamo Bay.

Afghan Detainee Dies at Guantanamo Bay

American Forces Press Service

MIAMI, May 18, 2011 – An Afghan detainee died of an apparent suicide early this morning at the U.S. detention facility at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, according to a Joint Task Force-Guantanamo news release.

The detainee is identified as Inayatullah, a 37-year-old Afghan. Inayatullah arrived at Guantanamo in September 2007. As a matter of Defense Department policy, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service has initiated an investigation of the incident to determine the cause and manner surrounding the death, according to the release.

While conducting routine checks, guards found the Inayatullah unresponsive and not breathing, according to the release. The guards initiated CPR and summoned medical personnel. After lifesaving measures had been exhausted, the detainee was pronounced dead by a physician.

The remains of the deceased are being treated with respect for Islamic culture and traditions, according to the release. A cultural advisor is assisting officials to ensure that the remains are handled in a culturally sensitive and religiously appropriate manner, according to the release. The remains will be autopsied by a pathologist from the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, based out of Silver Spring, Maryland. Upon completion of the autopsy, the remains will be prepared for repatriation.

Inayatullah was an admitted planner for al-Qaida terrorist operations, and attested to facilitating the movement of foreign fighters.

Inayatullah reportedly met with local operatives, developed travel routes and coordinated documentation, accommodation and vehicles for smuggling al Qaida belligerents through Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan and Iraq, the release stated.

(Compiled from a U.S. Southern Command News Release)

Detainee Transfer Announced

The Department of Defense announced today the transfer of ten detainees from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to Saudi Arabia. These detainees were determined to be eligible for transfer following a comprehensive series of review processes.

The transfer is a demonstration of the United States' desire not to hold detainees any longer than necessary. It also underscores the processes put in place to assess each individual and make a determination about their detention while hostilities are ongoing – an unprecedented step in the history of warfare.

The Department of Defense has determined – through its comprehensive review processes - that more than 60 detainees at Guantanamo are eligible for transfer or release. Departure of these detainees is subject to ongoing discussions between the United States and other nations.

Since 2002, approximately 500 detainees have departed Guantanamo for other countries including Albania, Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Belgium, Denmark, Egypt, France, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Maldives, Mauritania, Morocco, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Sudan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Uganda, United Kingdom and Yemen.

There are approximately 275 detainees currently at Guantanamo.

Guantanamo Detainee Charged

The Office of Military Commissions announced today that charges have been sworn against Guantanamo detainee Ahmed Mohammed Ahmed Haza al Darbi of Saudi Arabia. The accused, al Darbi, is the brother-in-law of the Flight 77 hijacker al Mihdhar. Flight 77 is the plane that hit the Pentagon on 9/11.

The sworn charges are: Conspiring with others , to attack civilians, to murder in violation of the law of war, to destroy property in violation of the law of war, to hazard a vessel and to commit terrorism, and Providing Material Support to Terrorism. Mr. al Darbi was allegedly involved in planning attacks on a vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and off the coast of Yemen.

It is alleged that the accused, al Darbi, traveled to Jalalabad and met with Usama bin Laden, trained at al Qaeda's Jihad Wahl training camp and later served as a weapons instructor at another al Qaeda training camp. From 2001 through 2002, is also alleged that al Darbi moved money from al Qaeda into financial institutions for expenses related to a plot to attack a vessel in the Strait of Hormuz or off the coast of Yemen.

It is further alleged that al Darbi joined in preparations for an al Qaeda terrorist operation in traveling to several countries to purchase a GPS device, a boat, and other equipment in late 2000 or early 2001. The boat, named "Adnan would be loaded with explosives for future terrorist operations The accused, al Darbi, ultimately registered the boat in his name as the "al Rahal" under the Sao Tome flag, and also purchased an additional boat to instruct Yemenis how to swim and operate a boat. In the spring of 2002, al Darbi departed the UAE on board the boat "al Rahal" destined for Yemen, diverted the boat to Somalia due to concerns with his own passport, and during this discussed travel plans by satellite phone with Walid al Shiba.

In accordance with the Military Commissions Act of 2006 and the Manual for Military Commissions, sworn charges must be forwarded for review by the Legal Advisor to the Convening Authority. The Convening Authority may then refer any or all charges to trial by military commission, or may dismiss charges or specifications. If the Convening Authority decides to refer the case to trial, she will designate commission panel members. A military judge and trial dates will be designated at a later time.

Brigadier General Thomas Hartmann, Legal Advisor to the Convening Authority, has stated that these War Crime courts are now moving intensely forward in open courts and with more due process than any war criminal has historically received. As the Military Commissions continue, our uniformed service members, including judges, prosecutors and defense counsel, will conduct these trials with the dignity, fairness, and respect for law that defines American military justice.

The sworn charges are only allegations that the accused has committed a war crime under the Military Commissions Act, and the accused is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Troops Capture 'Special Groups' Leader, Release Detainees

American Forces Press Service

Dec. 20, 2007 - Coalition forces captured a suspected "special groups" leader during operations yesterday in the northern Baghdad area, military officials reported. The targeted individual was the special groups criminal element leader for Diyala province and oversaw logistics and operations in the area. He reportedly was responsible for storing weapons and procuring lethal aid, including explosively formed penetrators, to support attacks on Iraqi and coalition forces.

The man reportedly also is an associate of several other senior-level special groups members from Diyala to Baghdad who were involved in attacks on coalition forces.

In other Iraq news, coalition forces held a release ceremony for 100 detainees yesterday at Camp Cropper in a gesture of goodwill and reconciliation during the holiday of Eid al Adha.

"On this joyful occasion, I would like to take the opportunity to welcome you back to the new, peaceful Iraq," Army Maj. Gen. Doug Stone, commander of Multinational Force Iraq detainee operations, said in Arabic upon releasing the detainees. "I hope and believe that you will be the role models for the generations to come and contributors to Iraq's glory and prosperity."

The ceremony honored the joint effort by the government of Iraq and coalition forces to increase the average number of detainee releases per month. Individuals are released only after they are deemed to no longer be an imperative threat to the security of Iraq.

The majority of the detainees were released through a review board process, where they had the opportunity to address their cases personally. They also made a pledge to an Iraqi judge, swearing to maintain peace and good conduct.

"We pledge to Allah, the almighty, to be faithful servants in safeguarding and building Iraq," said one released detainee on behalf of the group. "And we ask of him to fill our hearts with love and compassion to the Iraqi people and reject all aspects of violence and hatred."

While in detention, the detainees had the opportunity to volunteer for a number of programs, including basic education courses, religious discussions, vocational training, and work programs designed to help them reintegrate and function as productive members of the community.

All 100 detainees were released yesterday. About 850 detainees have been released so far during the Hajj and Eid al Adha holiday season.

(From Multinational Force Iraq news releases.)

Detainee Literacy Rates Improve Through Education Programs

By Spc. Shanita Simmons, USA
Special to American Forces Press Service

Oct. 17, 2007 - Literacy programs aimed at detainees held here show signs of success, as many detainees are sharpening their academic skills. Joint Task Force Guantanamo offers detainees courses in Arabic and Pashto, as well as basic arithmetic. Army 1st Lt. Rominita Rodriquez, the officer in charge of the literacy program, said she credits the joint task force's leaders with developing and approving curriculum that serves two purposes.

"The commander's intent is to provide a program aimed at improving the literacy rate of detainees with little or no writing skills, so we can aid them with reintegrating to their country," Rodriquez said. "Secondly, we hope participants in the program will be able to read and understand the Quran for themselves. They will also be able to read and write letters to family members in their native countries."

Detainees who participate in the literacy program attend classes for about 90 minutes three days a week and take beginning, intermediate and advanced-level courses that focus on their skill deficits. According to one instructor, Sherif, the Pashto course is popular since some of the Afghan population here is poorly educated. Official policy is not to release full names of some individuals who work with detainees in Joint Task Force Guantanamo.

"Based on my information, the majority of the Arabic-speaking detainees have high school and college degrees," Sherif said.

However, according to Mary, another instructor in the camps, the Afghan detainee literacy rate is only about 20 percent. Pashto, the official language of Afghanistan, is spoken by about 13 million people.

Arabic is classified as a macro-language, with about 27 sub-languages spoken throughout the Arab world. Sherif said detainees from such diverse countries as Algeria, Sudan, Canada and Saudi Arabia speak Arabic. Since a majority of detainees here originated from Afghanistan and Arabic-speaking countries, the literacy program's primary focus is on teaching the two main languages spoken there.

The Arabic course focuses on helping detainees improve grammar, structure sentences and conjugate verbs using "classic Arabic," the language of the Quran, as the base. Detainees placed in intermediate courses are taught using high school and college-level textbooks. Advanced classes serve as refreshers that focus on clarifying and revisiting various aspects of the language. Although detainees are tested periodically, class participation and homework exercises also are used to measure their success. Many detainees also check out books from the detainee library to help reinforce their skills.

In contrast, detainees participating in the Pashto course are taught on a more basic level. These detainees are taught the basic alphabet and then move onto learning word and sentence structure. Conducting initial assessments of detainees is essential, since they help determine the right class placements for detainees.

"The assessments help us understand exactly where they are, so we can then build on their knowledge base," Rodriquez said. "The program has been very successful. We have detainees that didn't know how to read and write, and now they are reading like regular guys who attended college."

Rodriquez added that instructors provide one-on-one instruction or more homework to struggling detainees until they catch up with others in their classes.

Rodriquez said she attends some of these classes herself and encourages detainees to provide feedback on how the courses can be improved. She said many detainees have shown their gratitude by asking their instructors to thank the joint task force command for helping to build and reinforce their skills.

Task force leaders consider detainee requests and have made feasible changes to the program as a result of their input. However, all changes have to account for the safety of the instructors and the guard force. Therefore, there are always a minimum of two guards in each classroom and a set of restraints bolted to the floor is located near each desk.

When detainees complain about the instructional environment, Sherif said he encourages them to look beyond their ankle restraints. "I tell them that everyone has their own cuffs or boundaries of dos and don'ts, but they are not visible to the eyes," Sherif said. "I tell them that they must forget about those things and concentrate on what they do have. This perspective usually works."

Despite Sherif's Arabic descent, interacting with detainees is sometimes a challenge, since he must first establish a level of trust and respect within the classroom environment.

"Some of the detainees who attend my class would say I am an infidel because I work with the United States," Sherif said. "I always begin my first class by saying 'Shalam Malacum,' which is translated to mean 'Peace upon you.' I will then quote verses from the Quran to remind them that it is their duty to respond to peace when it is being given to them. Then they will usually respond."

(Army Spc. Shanita Simmons is assigned to Joint Task Force Guantanamo Public Affairs.)

Iraq Detention Operations Focus on Education, Rehabilitation

By Sgt. Sara Wood, USA
American Forces Press Service

Oct. 10, 2007 - Programs in U.S. detention facilities in Iraq are focused on improving the education and vocational skills of detainees and preparing those who are no longer a threat for release to their families, a U.S. general in charge of detainee operations in Iraq said today. Speaking to reporters in Iraq, Marine Maj. Gen. Douglas M. Stone, Multinational Force Iraq's deputy commanding general for detainee operations, emphasized that all detention operations in Iraq are in accordance with international law and human rights standards, and are always open to inspection by credible agencies.

"Our goals and our activities are absolutely clear and absolutely transparent, and our facilities are open to inspection by any agency that we in the federal government believe is credible," Stone said, noting that detention facilities often are inspected by the International Committee of the Red Cross, Army and Defense Department agencies, the Iraqi Ministry of Human Rights, and the press. "These agencies are welcomed because they are windows for the world ... to view our mission and to offer their guidance. There are no secrets that go on in detention."

Education is an important part of detention operations in Iraq, and detainees themselves are very engaged in schooling, Stone said. About 7,000 detainees have completed up to a fifth-grade level education, and 8,000 have sought out further education. The interest in education has exceeded the coalition's ability to hire qualified instructors, so 173 detainees who are educated at the appropriate level have started teaching some classes, he said.

Educational programs in detention facilities include literacy programs for juveniles and adults and technical programs, Stone said. Also, the coalition plans to build a brick and textile factory to provide detainees with work, he said. He added that all youth detainees are in an education program that includes instruction in Arabic, English, math, civics and geography.

These programs are designed to prepare detainees for release to their families, Stone said. The coalition constantly works to determine which detainees are no longer a threat and can be released, he said. This is done through interviews with detention staff, and if officials determine a detainee is no longer a risk, the detainee takes a pledge in front of an Iraqi judge to forswear violence.

"I am pleased to tell you that in the more than 1,000 of those who have gone through this program and taken the pledge, not one has returned to threaten Iraqi or coalition forces," Stone said.

During the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, the coalition has released an average of more than 50 detainees per day, Stone said.

The detainees who remain in custody have a high quality of life, including top-notch medical and dental care, Stone said. Detainees receive the same medical and dental care as any U.S. servicemember, with care available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All medical visits, check-ups and medicine are free, he added.

"Our facilities are the highest level possible in the world," he said. "They provide the exact same care of surgery, extensive treatment and monitoring as any other servicemember would receive in the country."

Detainees are provided culturally specific meals in accordance with Islamic law, Stone said, and during religious observances, meal schedules are adjusted accordingly. Detainees also have all the water they need to drink, wash for prayer and take showers, he said.

Another thing the coalition has set up to make detainees' lives more comfortable is visitor centers for family visits, Stone said. For those families who can't travel to visit their relatives, the coalition has set up video teleconference capabilities for visits.

"It's important for our detainees to have contact with their families," he said.

All detainee operations in Iraq are done humanely and in a transparent manner, Stone said. The coalition works with the Iraqi government to ensure detainees are taken care of, and those who no longer pose a threat are released to their families, he said.

"We see this as an important responsibility; in fact, we see it as an obligation to the people of Iraq," he said.

Detainee Transfer Announced

The Department of Defense announced today the transfer of eight detainees from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Six detainees were transferred to Afghanistan, and one each to Libya and Yemen. These detainees were determined to be eligible for transfer following a comprehensive series of review processes conducted at Guantanamo.

The transfer is a demonstration of the United States' desire not to hold detainees any longer than necessary. It also underscores the processes put in place to assess each individual and make a determination about their detention while hostilities are ongoing – an unprecedented step in the history of warfare.

Approximately 70 detainees at Guantanamo are eligible for transfer or release. Departure of these detainees is subject to ongoing discussions between the United States and other nations.

Since 2002, approximately 445 detainees have departed Guantanamo for other countries including Albania, Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Belgium, Denmark, Egypt, France, Great Britain, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Maldives, Mauritania, Morocco, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Sudan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Uganda, United Kingdom and Yemen.

There are approximately 330 detainees currently at Guantanamo.

Detainee Transfer Announced

The Department of Defense announced today the transfer of sixteen detainees from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to Saudi Arabia. These detainees were determined to be eligible for transfer following a comprehensive series of review processes conducted at Guantanamo.

The transfer is a demonstration of the United States' desire not to hold detainees any longer than necessary. It also underscores the processes put in place to assess each individual and make a determination about their detention while hostilities are ongoing - an unprecedented step in the history of warfare.

The Department of Defense has determined - through its comprehensive review processes - that approximately 80 detainees at Guantanamo are eligible for transfer or release. Departure of these detainees is subject to ongoing discussions between the United States and other nations.

Since 2002, approximately 435 detainees have departed Guantanamo for other countries including Albania, Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Belgium, Denmark, Egypt, France, Great Britain, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Maldives, Morocco, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Sudan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Uganda, United Kingdom and Yemen.

There are approximately 340 detainees currently at Guantanamo.

Detainee Transfer Announced

The Department of Defense announced today the transfer of sixteen detainees from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to Saudi Arabia. These detainees were determined to be eligible for transfer following a comprehensive series of review processes conducted at Guantanamo Bay.

Approximately 80 detainees remain at Guantanamo who the U.S. government has determined eligible for transfer or release. Departure of these remaining detainees approved for transfer or release is subject to ongoing discussions between the United States and other nations.

Since 2002, approximately 415 detainees have departed Guantanamo for other countries including Albania, Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Belgium, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Maldives, Morocco, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Sudan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Uganda, United Kingdom and Yemen.

Approximately 360 detainees remain at Guantanamo.

Detainee Transfer Announced

The Department of Defense announced today the transfer of six detainees from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Two detainees were transferred to Tunisia and four detainees were transferred to Yemen. These detainees were determined to be eligible for transfer following a comprehensive series of review processes at Guantanamo Bay.

Approximately 80 detainees remain at Guantanamo who the U.S. government has determined eligible for transfer or release. Departure of these remaining detainees is subject to ongoing discussions between the United States and other nations.

Since 2002, approximately 405 detainees have departed Guantanamo for other countries including Albania, Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Belgium, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Maldives, Morocco, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Sudan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Uganda, the United Kingdom, and Yemen.
Approximately 375 detainees remain at Guantanamo.

Detainee Denies Running Al Qaeda Training Camps in Afghanistan

By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service

April 16, 2007 – An alleged terrorist being held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, denied U.S. government accusations that he managed al Qaeda training camps in Afghanistan or facilitated a failed terrorist attack on Los Angeles in 1999, according to a transcript released today from his March 27 tribunal hearing. The detainee, Abu Zubaydah, told the tribunal through an interpreter that he didn't support Osama bin Laden's philosophy of targeting innocent civilians as part of waging jihad, or holy war. He was captured during a raid at a safe house in Pakistan on March 28, 2002.

The tribunal was held to determine if Zubaydah, 36, could be designated as an enemy combatant.

A U.S. government witness, Ahmed Ressam, who is also being held at Guantanamo, told officials at the hearing that Zubaydah was a staunch bin Laden supporter, had run at least two terrorist training camps for al Qaeda in Afghanistan and had also helped him, Ressam, gain access into the U.S. to conduct terrorism before the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks on the United States.

Ressam was arrested after crossing the U.S.-Canadian border at Port Angeles, Wash., Dec. 14, 1999. A Los Angeles federal court found him guilty on several counts of terrorism and other felony charges on April 6, 2001. Federal prosecutors alleged Ressam's car contained bomb-making materials and that the Algerian was planning to bomb New Year's celebrations in the United States.

Ressam, who told U.S. officials that he'd planned to place a bomb at Los Angeles International Airport, stated that he studied for the mission in April 1998 at a terrorist training camp near Khwost, Afghanistan, a facility that Zubaydah had overseen.

A Federal Bureau of Investigation source said Zubaydah, who was born in Saudi Arabia, had traveled to Saudi Arabia in 1996 and delivered $600,000 to al Qaeda kingpin Osama bin Laden.

Zubaydah told officials at the tribunal that he never visited bin Laden at that time or had transported money to the al Qaeda chieftain.

"I only met him in the year 2000," Zubaydah said. "I'm not his (bin Laden's) partner and I'm not a member of al Qaeda."

Regarding Ressam's accusations, Zubaydah acknowledged he had assisted in the obtaining of passports, but "not fake ones." He did not dispatch Ressam to perform mayhem in the United States, he said.

"I wanted five real Canadian (only) passports to be used for personal matters, not terrorist-related activities," Zubaydah said.

The government said Zubaydah had expressed his desire to wage holy war on the United States through some entries in his personal diary, in which the detainee stated he would instigate racial riots and set off timed explosives targeting gas stations, fuel trucks and forests. Zubaydah responded that his writings "were strictly hypothetical - they were not plans that I intended to execute against non-military targets in America or anywhere else."

Zubaydah also told tribunal officials that he'd never visited or managed the Khalden training camp in Afghanistan that was cited by Ressam. Instead, Zubaydah said he'd worked out of Pakistan to help facilitate logistics for people en route to the camp.

"But, I knew nothing about the details of the actual training at the (Khalden) camp," Zubaydah said, noting that he "was not the head of the training camp."

Zubaydah also told the tribunal that he didn't support al Qaeda's philosophy of conducting total war against enemies of Islam, including the killing of civilians.

"I disagreed with the al Qaeda philosophy of targeting innocent civilians like those at the World Trade Center," Zubaydah asserted.

"I never believed in killing civilians," he added.

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Detainee Denies Participation in Singapore, Indonesia Bombings

By Carmen L. Gleason
American Forces Press Service

April 13, 2007 – An alleged al Qaeda leader being held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, denied involvement in bombings in both Indonesia and Singapore, according to a transcript of his hearing released yesterday. Riduan bin Isomuddin, known as "Hambali," either declined to answer or said he had no involvement with the operations brought forth during his April 4 combatant status review tribunal hearing at the detention facility.

The tribunal was an administrative hearing to determine only if the detainee could be designated as an enemy combatant.

Hambali said that while he was a member of Jemaah Islamiyah, a Southeast Asian militant Islamic organization, he had no interaction with al Qaeda.

Evidence presented during the hearing showed that he had been the operations chief of Jemaah Islamiyah and served as its main contact for al Qaeda in Southeast Asia. He also helped recruit members for al Ghuraba, the foreign student organization that helped develop Jemaah Islamiyah organization in Pakistan.

He also had served as the leader of the Malaysia Mujahedin group, according to U.S. government information presented in the hearing. That group's mission is to topple the Indonesian government. During the hearing, a Federal Bureau of Investigation source was cited as having contact with Hambali when he orchestrated and funded the December 2000 bombing of a church in Indonesia that killed 18 people.

An FBI source also stated that in January 2002 the detainee discussed carrying out attacks in bars, cafes and night clubs frequented by westerners in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines and Indonesia. The source said the detainee claimed to have 1 ton of explosives within Indonesia.

After Hambali allegedly discussed bombing such places and having large amounts of explosives, at least 187 people were killed and more than 300 foreign tourists were injured in October 2002 when an explosion destroyed a nightclub on the Indonesian resort island of Bali.

In his hearing, Hambali denied having supervised the plan to bomb the U.S., Australian and British embassies in Singapore. However, an FBI source stated that the detainee served as the point man between al Qaeda operatives and the mastermind in this plan, which government officials called the "Singapore plot."

Other evidence presented during the hearing showed that a document seized during Hambali's arrest provided instructions for manufacturing vest bombs used by suicide bombers. However, Hambali said he had "no answer" when he was asking during the hearing what his involvement was in making explosives.

The hearing came to a close when the hearing president said an assessment would be made as to whether the detainee continued to pose a threat to the United States or coalition partners in the ongoing conflict against terrorist organizations. The detainee was told that he would have the opportunity to be heard and to present relevant information later to an administrative review board.

The government implemented the CSRTs in July 2004 in response to a June 28, 2004, Supreme Court ruling in the case of Rasul v. Bush. The court ruled that enemy combatants held by the U.S. government had the right to contest their status before a judge or other neutral decision maker.

Between July 2004 and March 2005, DoD conducted 558 CSRTs at Guantanamo Bay. At the time, 38 detainees were determined to no longer meet the definition of enemy combatant, and 520 detainees were found to be enemy combatants.

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Detainee Admits to Receiving Funds from 9/11 Hijackers

By Carmen L. Gleason
American Forces Press Service

March 29, 2007 – A detainee at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, has admitted to being one of the financial facilitators for the mastermind behind the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States. The Defense Department today released the transcript of the March 21 combat status review tribunal hearing held at the detention facility for Mustafa al-Hawsawi. The tribunal was an administrative hearing to determine only if Hawsawi could be designated an enemy combatant.

Hawsawi is one of 14 high-value detainees who were transferred Sept. 6, 2006, to Guantanamo Bay from CIA custody. The CSRT hearings for these detainees are not open to media because of national security concerns, DoD officials said.

The detainee heard evidence against him charging that while in the United Arab Emirates he received nearly $20,000 from the Sept. 11 hijackers Mohamed Atta, Waleed al-Shehri and Marwan al-Shehhi from locations in Maryland and Massachusetts.

Although he did receive the funds, Hawsawi said, speaking through an interpreter, he didn't do anything with the transfers after placing them in his bank account.

The detainee also admitted to having repeated communications with Osama bin Laden and Sept. 11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Muhammad and Ramzi bin al-Shibh, but said he neither worked for them nor claimed allegiance to jihadist or al Qaeda causes.

Hawsawi also said he communicated with four of the hijackers prior to the attacks, but he had no specific knowledge of the operation until afterward.

Both Muhammad and al-Shibh talked to Hawsawi on Sept. 10, 2001, but he said he had no prior knowledge of the attacks.

"(Shibh) told me that (the) next night there would be an operation, and therefore I should go back to Pakistan," Hawsawi said. The detainee said that he returned to Pakistan on Sept. 12, 2001, and from there entered Afghanistan, where he helped to train jihadists to rebel and attack if needed.

Hawsawi also heard evidence charging him with the possession of a laptop computer hard drive containing al Qaeda expense reports and allowance information from 2002 to 2003. Officials also charged him with the possession of detailed operational status and family information of known al Qaeda operatives.

Although the detainee did not deny possessing the computer, through a personal representative he said he didn't have any knowledge of the content. Hawsawi said the information on the laptop was copied from several different personal computer hard drives located in a safe house. The information was copied to several laptops to make it easier to transport, he said.

A 19-page handwritten telephone and address book containing the contact information for numerous al Qaeda operatives was found in a laptop computer case associated with Hawsawi. The document was discovered where a senior al Qaeda operative was captured.

Prior to the hearing, a reproduction of the phone book was made available to the detainee for his review when he said it could not be something he owned since he "didn't know enough people to fill a 19-page phone (book)."

The hearing came to a close when the CSRT president said an assessment would be made as to whether the detainee continued to pose a threat to the United States or coalition partners in the ongoing conflict against terrorist organizations.

The U.S. government established the CSRT process at Guantanamo Bay as a result of a June 2004 Supreme Court decision in the case of Salim Ahmed Hamdan, a former driver for Osama bin Laden who challenged his detention at Guantanamo Bay. Between July 2004 and March 2005, DoD conducted 558 CSRTs at Guantanamo Bay. At the time, 38 detainees were determined to no longer meet the definition of enemy combatant, and 520 detainees were found to be enemy combatants.

Hawsawi's tribunal followed the March 10 proceedings for Khalid Sheikh Muhammad, who admitted to masterminding the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks as well as the World Trade Center bombing in 1993.

Proceedings also were held March 9 for Abu Faraj al-Libi, an alleged senior al Qaeda member, and Ramzi bin al-Shibh, who is said to have helped Muhammad plan the Sept. 11 attacks. Neither of the two elected to be present for their tribunals.

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