Abdul Rahman Khowlan

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Abdul Rahman Mohammed Hussein Khowlan
Born: 1972 (age 35–36)
Taif, Saudi Arabia
Detained at: Guantanamo
ID number: 513
Conviction(s): no charge, held in extrajudicial detention
Status repatriation

Abdul Rahman Mohammed Hussein Khowlan is a citizen of Saudi Arabia held in extrajudicial detention in the United States Guantanamo Bay detention camps, in Cuba.[1] His Guantanamo Internee Security Number is 513. American intelligence analysts estimate he was born in 1972, in Taif, Saudi Arabia.

Contents

[edit] Identity

Captive 513 was identified inconsistently on official Department of Defense documents:

[edit] Capture

He was captured carrying an AK-47 rifle.[12]

[edit] Combatant Status Review Tribunal

Combatant Status Review Tribunal notice read to a Guantanamo captive. During the period July 2004 through March 2005 a Combatant Status Review Tribunal was convened to make a determination whether they had been correctly classified as an "enemy combatant". Participation was optional. The Department of Defense reports that 317 of the 558 captives who remained in Guantanamo, in military custody, attended their Tribunals.
Combatant Status Review Tribunal notice read to a Guantanamo captive. During the period July 2004 through March 2005 a Combatant Status Review Tribunal was convened to make a determination whether they had been correctly classified as an "enemy combatant". Participation was optional. The Department of Defense reports that 317 of the 558 captives who remained in Guantanamo, in military custody, attended their Tribunals.

Initially the Bush administration asserted that they could withhold all the protections of the Geneva Conventions to captives from the war on terror. This policy was challenged before the Judicial branch. Critics argued that the USA could not evade its obligation to conduct a competent tribunals to determine whether captives are, or are not, entitled to the protections of prisoner of war status.

Subsequently the Department of Defense instituted the Combatant Status Review Tribunals. The Tribunals, however, were not authorized to determine whether the captives were lawful combatants -- rather they were merely empowered to make a recommendation as to whether the captive had previously been correctly determined to match the Bush administration's definition of an enemy combatant.

[edit] Summary of Evidence memo

A Summary of Evidence memo was prepared for Abdul Rahman Mohammed Khowlan's Combatant Status Review Tribunal, on 28 September 2004.[2] The memo listed the following allegations against him:

a. The detainee is associated with al Qaida and the Taliban:
  1. Detainee traveled to Afghanistan to participate in the Jihad to fulfill his religious duty.
  2. Detainee traveled from Pakistan into Afghanistan in August 2001.
  3. Detainee saw Usama Bin Laden at the Al-Ansar safe house and Al Farouq training camp.
  4. Detainee attended basic training at Al Farouq in late summer of 2001.
b. The detainee participated in military operations against United States and its coalition partners.
  1. Detainee fought the Northern Alliance in Dostun, Afghanistan.
  2. Detainee was present in the Tora Bora region during the U.S. air campaign, and surrendered there.

[edit] Transcript

There is no record that captive 513 participated in his Combatant Status Review Tribunal.

[edit] Administrative Review Board hearings

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".[13]

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. 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

A Summary of Evidence memo was prepared for Abdul Rahman Mohammed Hussein Khowlan's first annual Administrative Review Board, on 28 June 2005.[3] The memo listed factors for and against his continued detention.

[edit] The following primary factors favor continued detention:

a. Commitment
  1. The detainee saw and responded to posted announcements in mosques that declared a fatwa supporting training for Jihad as a religious duty.
  2. The detainee was recruited in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, by Abu Mua'th, who gave the detainee an airline ticket to Karachi, Pakistan, 3000 Saudi Riyals ($799 USD) and a passport.
  3. In August 2001, the detainee traveled from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to Qatar to Karachi, Pakistan to Khandahar ((sic}}, Afghanistan.
  4. The detainee stayed at a safe house in Jalalabad for approximately three to four months.
  5. The detainee stayed at the Al-Ansar house in Kandahar to await training at Camp al Farouq.
  6. The detainee was fighting Afghan people and the Northern Alliance while at Camp Farouq.
  7. The detainee stayed at the Abu Mahajin or "Star of the Jihad" guest house in Jalalabad for approximately four to five weeks while waiting to flee Afghanistan in October or November 2001.
b. Training
  1. The detainee attended basic training at the al Farouq training camp for approximately two months in late summer of 2001.
  2. The detainee received training on the AK-47 assault rifle, PK machine gun, automatic grenade launcher, the Rocket-Propelled Grenade (RPG) and an unidentified light anti-tank weapon.
c. Connections/Associations
  1. The detainee traveled to Quetta, Pakistan, where he met an Afghan man known as Muhammad Rahim, also know [sic] as Rakhim Khan. Muhammad Rahim took the detainee to a Quetta safe house.
  2. Muhammad Rahim is an al Qaida leader who was attempting to reestablish al Qaida networks in the Tora Bora region of Afghanistan, where he already controlled hidden ammunition depots. He was also trying to recruit individuals to carry out terror attacks against the Jalalabad airport and Springhar Hotel in Jalalabad.
  3. The detainee saw Usama Bin Ladin at the Al Ansar safe house and al Farouq Training Camp.
d. Other Relevant Data
  1. The detainee was present in the Tora Bora region and surrendered there to Afghan Forces.
  2. The detainee had in his possession, at the time of his surrender, $2,000 USD, a Kalashnikov rifle and three full magazines of ammunition.

[edit] The following primary factors favor release or transfer:

a.

The detainee claims he was responding to a fatwa that requires all Muslims to train and be prepared to defend Islam at any time. He intended to return home after learning of the attacks of September 11, 2001.
b.

The detainee states that he does not have any association with al Qaida and never heard anything about al Qaida at Camp Farouq until after the war started.
c.

The detainee states that his initial report of training at al Farouq was just telling the interrogators what they wanted to hear, and the truth is he was attempting to retrieve the clothing of the Prophet Mohammed from a shrine in Afghanistan with financial backing from a prominent Saudi Arabian businessman.
d.

The detainee denies taking the al Qaida oath while at Camp Farouq.
e.

The detainee denies having any knowledge of the attacks in the U.S. prior to their execution on September 11th, 2001. The detainee also denied knowledge of any rumors or plans of future attacks on the U.S. or U.S. interests.

[edit] Transcript

Captive 513 chose to participate in his Administrative Review Board hearing.[14] In response to a court order the Department of Defense published fifteen page summarized transcript from captive 513's Administrative Review Board hearing.

[edit] Captive 513's Assisting Military Officer's notes

During his first interview with his Assisting Military Officer, on September 22, 2005, Captive 513 planned to prepare a written response to the factors. But he wasn't finished by September 23, 2005, when his Assisting Military Officer paid him a a followup visit. So his Assisting Military Officer recorded the following notes:

  • "The detainee alleged abuse following his capture in Afghanistan. A report of abuse was submitted in accordance with OARDEC memorandum 01/2005 (Rev.2).
  • "In additional comments the detainee said that when the interrogators first asked why he went to Afghanistan, the detainee said that he went in order to lose weight, but they did not write it down.
  • "The detainee said that he wanted to get married but nobody wanted him because of his weight. So, he went to Afghanistan to lose the weight and attract women.
  • "The detainee mentioned that he had injured his knee during exercise about seven weeks ago. Although medical personnel saw him at that time, the detainee clinic has been subsequently full. The detainee said that the swelling in his knee is worse, but he cannot get seen in the clinic."

[edit] Captive 513's response to the factors

[edit] Captive 513's response to Board questions

[edit] Second annual Administrative Review Board

A Summary of Evidence memo was prepared for Abd Al Rahman Muhammad Husayn Al Khawlan's second annual Administrative Review Board, on 2 May 2006.[11] The memo listed factors for and against his continued detention.

[edit] The following primary factors favor continued detention:

a. Commitment
  1. The detainee's desire to go to Afghanistan was based on the posted fatwa, his decision to marry, his desire to lose weight, and his subsequent meeting with an individual.
  2. The individual told the detainee that he would arrange for him to travel and requested his passport, which the detainee provided. The detainee stated his passport was returned with a paid airline ticket to Khandahar, Afghansitan.
  3. The detainee advised that he received 3,000 Saudi Ryals [sic] (799 United States Dollars) for personal expenses.
  4. The detainee stated in August 2001 he flew from Jeddah to Qatar to Karachi, Pakistan to Khandahar, Afghanistan.
b. Training
  1. The detainee stated while at Camp Farouq they were issued a pen and notebook, woodland camouflage uniform, a blanket, and shoes. The detainee trained on the Kalashnikov {{sic]} assault rifle, PK machine gun, automatic grenade launcher [sic] , the rocket-propelled grenade, and an unidentified light anti-tank weapon.
  2. The detainee said his training at Camp Farouq was interrupted, so he never finished his training. The detainee said they were told they should leave the camp.
c. Connections/Associations
  1. The detainee met a person, a Saudi in his early 30s. This person sold dates outside a mosque the detainee attended. The detainee stated over time they talked periodically after Friday prayer.
  2. The detainee traveled from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia through Qatar to Karachi, Pakistan.
  3. The detainee stated upon his arrival in Karachi he checked into a room at a hotel and waited to receive further information.
  4. The detainee stated that he was taken to a safe house in Karachi where he stayed for a week. The detainee then traveled to Quetta, Pakistan.
  5. Upon arrival in Quetta, Pakistan the detainee was taken to a safe house where he stayed for a period of less than a week.
  6. The detainee claims that while in Afghanistan he saw Usama bin Laden at the al Ansar house in Kandahar, Afghanistan and at the al Farouq camp.
d. Detainee Actions and Statements
  1. While at Camp Farouq, the detainee ended up fighting Afghans and Northern Alliance troops in DOstun.
  2. The detainee stayed at the Najim al Jihad safe house for approximately three to four months. He then went to a forest near Jalalabad for and a half weeks, then to Tora Bora until 10 December.
  3. The detainee was sent to Tora Bora where he subsequently surrendered to Afhgan Forces.
e. Other Relevant Data
  1. At the time of his capture, the detainee had in his possession, currency in the amount of 2,000 United States Dollars, a Kalashnikov rifle, and three full magazines of ammunition.
  2. During a 17 March 2005 interview the detainee stated America was his enemy because they are infidels and puppets of the Jews.

[edit] The following primary factors favor release or transfer:

a.

The detainee went to Afghanistan for a couple of reasons. His first priority was to lose weight. He would receive good exercise, which would help him lose weight. His intention was to get training for two months, then return to Saudi Arabia, take over his father's business, and get married. He would also learn to maintain a weapon.
b.

The detainee stated he had lied in the past about his travels to Afghanistan. The detainee said he was working with an unidentified Saudi Arabian businessman in a joint venture to find the clothing of the Prophet Mohammed, which was rumored to be in Afghanistan. The detainee said he was given a large sum of money by the businessman and traveled by airplane to Karachi Pakistan.
c.

The detainee said he has a brain and is not stupid and would not take an al Qaida oath. He said he does not have any association with al Qaida. The detainee said that he never hear anything about al Qaida at Camp Farouq until after the war started.
d.

The detainee denies having any knowledge of the attacks in the U.S. prior to their execution on 11 September 2001. The detainee also denied knowledge of any rumors or plans of future attacks on the U.S. or U.S. interests.
e.

The detainee claims he was responding to a fatwa that required all Muslims to train and be prepared to defend Islam at any time. He intended to return home after learning of the attacks of 11 September 2001.
f.

The detainee states that he would like to return to Saudi Arabia to get married, start a family, and take over his father's business, a small store. The detainee said he would never fight or leave Saudi Arabia again.

[edit] Enemy Combatant election form

The Assisting Military Officer recorded in the Enemy Combatant election form that, when they met for a pre-heaing interview on

17 May 2006:

"The detainee was cooperative, attentive, and cordial throughout the interview."

[edit] Response to the factors

Captive 513 disputed all the factors, except his plan to search for relics of the Prophet Mohammed. Captive 513 said the sole reason he went to Afghanistan was to search for the clothing of the Prophet Mohammed. He believed that his other goals -- weight loss and marriage -- would have followed from finding the Prophet's clothing.

He specifically denied attending the Al Farouq training camp, or participating in hostilities. He asserted he had never heard of al Qaida until after his capture.

Captive 513 said he hadn't had an opportunity to even begin his search for the Prophet's clothing, prior to his capture. {{quotation| As soon as I got to Jalalabad, the situation [sic] started; the war. I didn't even make it to Jalalabad itself but the borders of Jalalabad. Some of the Afghans captured me, they put me in a room until after Ramadan, and then they released me to the American Forces in Bagram.

The transcript ends with a footnote. Captive 513 told his Board that he had recently been moved from his regular cell to more restricted detenntion in Camp Oscar. His Assisting Military Officer told the Board that captive 513 had told him that his copy of the Summary of Evidence memo had been taken from him, so he had not had a full opportunity to review it prior to the Board's convening.

The footnote to the transcript said:

The ARB subsequently verified with the Joint Detention Operations Group the EC had access to the Unclassified Summary and notes the EC subsequently denied all of the primary factors to detain, implying that he understood them. The ARB also notes the EC chose not to elaborate on his stated purpose of locating the Prophet Mohammed's clothing in Afghanistan, so all primary factors to detain are denied by the EC and the EC offered no further details, even stating "there's nothing to add".

[edit] Board recommendations

In early September 2007 the Department of Defense released two heavily redacted memos, from his Board, to Gordon England, the Designated Civilian Official.[15][16] The Board's recommendation was unanimous The Board's recommendation was redacted. England authorized his transfer on 14 August 2006.

[edit] Repatriation

According to The Saudi Repatriates Report Captive 513 is one of sixteen men repatriated on December 14, 2006.[17]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b 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 (28 September 2004). Summary of Evidence for Combatant Status Review Tribunal -- Khowlan, Abdul Rahman Mohammed page 40. United States Department of Defense. Retrieved on 2008-03-14.
  3. ^ a b OARDEC (28 June 2005). Unclassified Summary of Evidence for Administrative Review Board in the case of Khowlan, Abdul Rahman Mohammed Hussein pages 74-76. United States Department of Defense. Retrieved on 2008-03-14.
  4. ^ OARDEC (April 20, 2006). List of detainee who went through complete CSRT process. United States Department of Defense. Retrieved on 2007-09-29.
  5. ^ OARDEC (July 17, 2007). Index for Combatant Status Review Board unclassified summaries of evidence. United States Department of Defense. Retrieved on 2007-09-29.
  6. ^ OARDEC (August 9, 2007). Index of Transcripts and Certain Documents from ARB Round One. United States Department of Defense. Retrieved on 2007-09-29.
  7. ^ OARDEC (August 9, 2007). Index to Summaries of Detention-Release Factors for ARB Round One. United States Department of Defense. Retrieved on 2007-09-29.
  8. ^ OARDEC (July 17, 2007). Transcripts and Certain Documents from Administrative Review Boards Round Two. United States Department of Defense. Retrieved on 2007-09-29.
  9. ^ OARDEC (July 17, 2007). Index of Summaries of Detention-Release Factors for ARB Round Two. United States Department of Defense. Retrieved on 2007-09-29.
  10. ^ OARDEC (August 10, 2007). Index Index of Transfer and Release Decision for Guantanamo Detainees from ARB Round Two. United States Department of Defense. Retrieved on 2007-09-29.
  11. ^ a b OARDEC (2 May 2006). Unclassified Summary of Evidence for Administrative Review Board in the case of Al Khawlan, Abd Al Rahman Muhammad Husayn pages 4-6. United States Department of Defense. Retrieved on 2008-03-14.
  12. ^ http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071003/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/guantanamo_the_way_out
  13. ^ Spc Timothy Book. "Review process unprecedented", JTF-GTMO Public Affairs Office, Friday March 10, 2006, pp. pg 1. Retrieved on 2007-10-10. 
  14. ^ OARDEC (date redacted). Summary of Administrative Review Board Proceedings of ISN 513 pages 29-43. United States Department of Defense. Retrieved on 2008-03-14.
  15. ^ OARDEC (14 August 2006). Administrative Review Board assessment and recommendation ICO ISN 513 page 1. United States Department of Defense. Retrieved on 2008-03-14.
  16. ^ OARDEC (19 May 2006). Classified Record of Proceedings and basis of Administrative Review Board recommendation for ISN 513 pages 2-9. United States Department of Defense. Retrieved on 2008-03-14.
  17. ^ Anant Raut, Jill M. Friedman (March 19, 2007). The Saudi Repatriates Report. Retrieved on April 21, 2007.