Mustafa Setmarian Nasar
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Mustafa Setmarian Nasar is a suspected jihadist, with links to al Qaeda. Nasar has been described as the mastermind of the Madrid bombing.[1]
On May 4, 2006 various newspapers reported that Nasar was captured in November 2005, and had been in U.S. custody since then.[2][3][4]
Nasar, born in Syria, has joint Syrian and Spanish citizenship, through his marriage to a Spanish woman.[5] The Taipei Times describes Nasar's as having a "Western appearance" that made him hard to catch. They went on to say: "His looks could resemble an Irish pub patron -- red hair, light skin, stocky build."
United Press International describes him as an influential thinker in Jihadi circles: "Nasar is believed to have been a trainer in al-Qaida camps in Afghanistan and has major writings about the group's ideological mission, including a 1,600-page book in 2004 titled "The International Islamic Resistance Call.[6]"
In a June 4, 2006 article the New York Times quoted criticism of US intelligence efforts by Baltasar Garzón, an influential Spanish magistrate.[7] The Times quoted Garzón's comments made at a legal conference in late May 2006 in Florence. Following criticisms of the injustice of the Guantanamo detainment camps, Garzón complained that American intelligence officials were hiding the information they had on Nasar's whereabouts. The Times repeated that unnamed officials had revealed that Nasar was captured in Pakistan in 2005. The Times article concluded with a quote from Garzón: ""I don't know where he is," Judge Garzón said. "Nobody knows where he is. Can you tell me how this helps the struggle against terrorism?"
The Sydney Morning Herald quoted a report in the Spanish newspaper El Pais, on October 16, 2006:[8]
- "Mustafa Setmarian, 48, a Syrian with Spanish citizenship, was captured in Pakistan in October 2005 and is held in a prison operated by the CIA, Pakistani and European security service officials told El Pais.
- "Spain's high court is unable to request Setmarian's extradition as he has not been officially imprisoned, the paper reported.
[edit] References
- ^ Madrid mastermind may plan UK attack, The Times, March 5, 2005
- ^ Confirmation loose on top al-Qaida capture, New Kerala, May 4, 2006
- ^ Blow to Osama: Key al-Qaida member with ties to bin Laden captured in Pakistan, Toronto Sun, May 4, 2006
- ^ US confirms al-Qaeda capture, Taipei Times, May 4, 2006
- ^ US confirms al-Qaeda capture, Taipei Times, May 4, 2006
- ^ Confirmation loose on top al-Qaida capture, Unite Press International, May 4, 2006
- ^ Spanish Judge Calls for Closing U.S. Prison at Guantánamo, New York Times, June 4, 2006
- ^ Shut up or else, military tells Guantanamo lawyers, Sydney Morning Herald, October 16, 2006
