Abd Al Rahman Al Zahri

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Abd Al Rahman Al Zahri
Born: 1979 (age 28–29)
Sana'a, Yemen
Detained at: Guantanamo
ID number: 441
Conviction(s): no charge, held in extrajudicial detention

Abd Al Rahman Al Zahri is a citizen of Yemen held in extrajudicial detention in the United States Guantanamo Bay detention camps, in Cuba.[1] His Guantanamo Internee Security Number is 441. JTF-GTMO analysts estimate he was born in 1979, in Sana'a, Yemen.

Notably, American intelligence analysts assert that Abd Al Rahman Al Zahri[2]:

"...was present and participated in Al-Qaida meetings discussing the September 11th attacks before they occurred."

Contents

[edit] Combatant Status Review Tribunal

CSRT notice read to a Guantanamo captive in July 2004
CSRT notice read to a Guantanamo captive in July 2004

Initially the Bush Presidency asserted they could withhold the protections of the Geneva Conventions from captives in the war on terror, while critics argued that the United States had an obligation to conduct competent tribunals to determine the status of prisoners. Subsequently the Department of Defense instituted Combatant Status Review Tribunals, to determine whether the captives met the new definition of an "enemy combatant".

From July 2004 through March 2005, a CSRT was convened to make a determination whether each captive had been correctly classified as an "enemy combatant". Approximately two-thirds of prisoners chose to participate in their tribunals.[3]

[edit] Summary of Evidence memo

A Summary of Evidence memo was prepared for Abdul Al Rahman Al Zahri's Combatant Status Review Tribunal, on 8 August 2004.[2] The memo listed the following allegations against him:

a. The detainee is a member of Al-Qaida.
  1. The detainee has met Usama Bin Laden on different occasions.
  2. The detainee trained at the Al-Farouq training camp in Afghanistan for approximately two months.
  3. The detainee was present and participated in Al-Qaida meetings discussing the September 11th attacks before they occurred.
b. The detainee engaged in hostilities towards the United States or its allies
  1. The detainee traveled to Kunduz, near the front lines of the Taliban and Northern Alliance conflict, and was injured in a missile attack.

[edit] Administrative Review Board hearing

Hearing room where Guantanamo captive's annual Administrative Review Board hearings convened for captives whose Combatant Status Review Tribunal had already determined they were an "enemy combatant".
Hearing room where Guantanamo captive's annual Administrative Review Board hearings convened for captives whose Combatant Status Review Tribunal had already determined they were an "enemy combatant".[4]

Detainees who were determined to have been properly classified as "enemy combatants" were scheduled to have their dossier reviewed at annual Administrative Review Board hearings.[5] The Administrative Review Boards weren't authorized to review whether a detainee qualified for POW status, and they weren't authorized to review whether a detainee should have been classified as an "enemy combatant".

They were authorized to consider whether a detainee should continue to be detained by the United States, because they continued to pose a threat -- or whether they could safely be repatriated to the custody of their home country, or whether they could be set free.

[edit] First annual Administrative Review Board hearing

A Summary of Evidence memo was prepared for Abd Al Rahman Al Zahri's first annual Administrative Review Board, on 21 November 2005.[6] The four page memo listed 37 "primary factors favor[ing] continued detention" and 9 "primary factors favor[ing] release or transfer".

The factors included:

  • the allegation that he had stayed at several Taliban and al Qaeda guest houses and safe houses in Kabul and Kandahar.
  • the allegation that he had pre-knowledge the World Trade Center attacks, and of attacks that hadn't yet taken place.
  • the allegation he sat with Osama bin Laden over ten times.
  • the allegation that he had fabricated his confession as a joke, and that he actually had no ties al Qaida, or the Taliban, hadn't attended any training camps, and had really only been in Afghanistan to purchase antiquities.

[edit] Second annual Administrative Review Board hearing

A Summary of Evidence memo was prepared for Abdul Rahman Ahmed's second annual Administrative Review Board, on 15 November 2006.[7] The four page memo listed 35 "primary factors favor[ing] continued detention" and 8 "primary factors favor[ing] release or transfer".

In addition to the factors listed on the earlier memos new allegations included:

  • the allegation that he attempted to escape custody during the prison riot at the Al Qanqi prison at Mazari Sharif.
  • the allegation that he had video-taped how to plant land-mines.
  • the allegation that he had been observed serving on the front lines.
  • the allegation that he had collected the passports of dead Arab fighters, on the battlefield.
  • the allegation that he had called Osama bin Laden a great man.
  • the claim that he had denounced Osama bin Laden as a heretic, who attacked civilians -- in violation of the laws of Islam.
  • the allegation that he was listed on a list of al Qaeda martyrs.
  • the allegation that he was listed on a list of holders of "al Qaeda trust accounts"

[edit] Transcript

Abdul Rahman Ahmed participated in his second annual Administrative Review Board hearing.[8]

[edit] Enemy Combatant election form

Abd Al Rahman Al Zahri's Assisting Military Officer reported that there was pre-hearing interview on November 27, 2006. His Assisting Military Officer described him as "attentive and polite throughout the interview". His Assisting Military Officer noted that he was wearing a tan uniform.

Further information: Guantanamo captives uniform

[edit] Abdul Rahman Ahmed's Oral statement

Abd al Rahman al Zahri gave an oral statement, when invited to do so, after the allegations against him were read aloud. In his statement he proclaimed a strong commitment to Osama bin Laden, and tried to defend his association with the Taliban. Much of the rest of his oral statement criticized American policy and conduct.

[edit] Response to Board questions

  • Abd Al Rashid Al Zahri acknowledged being trained at al Farouq.
  • Abd Al Rashid Al Zahri clarified that he was not a member of al Qaida, but added that he wished he was a member of al Qaida.
  • When Abd Al Rashid Al Zahri was asked why his name was on multiple al Qaida lists he suggested it was because he had trained at al Qaida camps.
  • Abd Al Rashid Al Zahri clarified that he left for Afghanistan on Saturday June 9, 2001, at eight oclock in the morning.
  • Abd Al Rashid Al Zahri said he had never heard anything about 80 men being selected for special operations training at al Farouq.
  • Abl Al Rashid Al Zahri acknowledged being in the presence of Osama bin Laden several times.

[edit] References

  1. ^ OARDEC (May 15, 2006). List of Individuals Detained by the Department of Defense at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba from January 2002 through May 15, 2006. United States Department of Defense. Retrieved on 2007-09-29.
  2. ^ a b OARDEC (8 August 2004). Summary of Evidence for Combatant Status Review Tribunal - Al Zahri, Abdul Al Rahman page 1. United States Department of Defense. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.
  3. ^ OARDEC (September 4, 2007). Index to Transcripts of Detainee Testimony and Documents Submitted by Detainees at Combatant Status Review Tribunals Held at Guantanamo Between July 2004 and March 2005. United States Department of Defense. Retrieved on 2007-09-29.
  4. ^ Spc Timothy Book. "Review process unprecedented", JTF-GTMO Public Affairs Office, Friday March 10, 2006, pp. pg 1. Retrieved on 2007-10-10. 
  5. ^ Army Sgt. Sarah Stannard. "OARDEC provides recommendations to Deputy Secretary of Defense", JTF Guantanamo Public Affairs, October 29, 2007. Retrieved on 2008-03-26. 
  6. ^ OARDEC (21 November 2005). Unclassified Summary of Evidence for Administrative Review Board in the case of Al Zahri, Abd Al Rahman pages 39-42. United States Department of Defense. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.
  7. ^ OARDEC (15 November 2006). Unclassified Summary of Evidence for Administrative Review Board in the case of Ahmed, Abdul Rahman pages 69-72. United States Department of Defense. Retrieved on 2008-05-13.
  8. ^ OARDEC (date redacted). Summary of Administrative Review Board Proceedings of ISN 441 pages 74-82. United States Department of Defense. Retrieved on 2008-05-13.