Menu
13/03/2009
Guantanamo Detainee Blames MI5 For 'Torture'
Former Guantanamo Bay detainee Binyam Mohamed has claimed he would not have faced alleged torture and rendition, if it had not have been for British involvement in his case.
Mr Mohamed, a UK resident, was released last week after spending seven years in captivity. The 30-year-old alleged that MI5 assisted American agents in interrogating him after his arrest in Pakistan in 2002.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4, in his first interview since he was released, Mr Mohamed said he believed it was their involvement which led to him being transferred to Morocco where he claims to have been tortured.
"If it wasn't for the British involvement right at the beginning of the interrogations in Pakistan, and suggestions that were made by MI5 to the Americans of how to get me to respond, I don't think I would have gone to Morocco," he said.
"It was that initial help that MI5 gave to America that led me through the seven years of what I went through."
Mr Mohamed, an Egyptian national, spent six years and ten months in detention, moving from Pakistan to Morocco, Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay, before being released without charge last week.
He said he had originally travelled to Afghanistan in 2001 after converting to Islam.
"I decided to take a journey to Afghanistan as any 21, 22-year-old would do. Just go and see a part of the world and learn about what's happening over there," he said.
"I was trying to understand Islam and I was told that Afghanistan was where the real Islam was."
The former detainee also told the BBC he had never been involved in any plots and had not attended terrorist training camps before 9/11.
Asked if he had been an al-Qaeda operative, he replied: "I don't even know what that means because how am I supposed to be an al-Qaeda operative?
"How do you become an al-Qaeda operative?"
Mr Mohamed, who is now living in a secret location in England, said he was left feeling "dead" by the experiences.
"Even now I don't feel I am free. I don't have the regular person's feelings that people have. The feelings of happiness and sadness, I still don't have them," he said.
The Attorney General is still considering whether to ask police to investigate allegations of British collusion in Mr Mohamed's mistreatment.
A Home office spokesman said: "The Government unreservedly condemns the use of torture as a matter of fundamental principle and works hard with its international partners to eradicate this abhorrent practice worldwide.
"The security and intelligence agencies do not participate in, solicit, encourage or condone the use of torture or inhumane or degrading treatment."
(JM/BMcC)
Mr Mohamed, a UK resident, was released last week after spending seven years in captivity. The 30-year-old alleged that MI5 assisted American agents in interrogating him after his arrest in Pakistan in 2002.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4, in his first interview since he was released, Mr Mohamed said he believed it was their involvement which led to him being transferred to Morocco where he claims to have been tortured.
"If it wasn't for the British involvement right at the beginning of the interrogations in Pakistan, and suggestions that were made by MI5 to the Americans of how to get me to respond, I don't think I would have gone to Morocco," he said.
"It was that initial help that MI5 gave to America that led me through the seven years of what I went through."
Mr Mohamed, an Egyptian national, spent six years and ten months in detention, moving from Pakistan to Morocco, Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay, before being released without charge last week.
He said he had originally travelled to Afghanistan in 2001 after converting to Islam.
"I decided to take a journey to Afghanistan as any 21, 22-year-old would do. Just go and see a part of the world and learn about what's happening over there," he said.
"I was trying to understand Islam and I was told that Afghanistan was where the real Islam was."
The former detainee also told the BBC he had never been involved in any plots and had not attended terrorist training camps before 9/11.
Asked if he had been an al-Qaeda operative, he replied: "I don't even know what that means because how am I supposed to be an al-Qaeda operative?
"How do you become an al-Qaeda operative?"
Mr Mohamed, who is now living in a secret location in England, said he was left feeling "dead" by the experiences.
"Even now I don't feel I am free. I don't have the regular person's feelings that people have. The feelings of happiness and sadness, I still don't have them," he said.
The Attorney General is still considering whether to ask police to investigate allegations of British collusion in Mr Mohamed's mistreatment.
A Home office spokesman said: "The Government unreservedly condemns the use of torture as a matter of fundamental principle and works hard with its international partners to eradicate this abhorrent practice worldwide.
"The security and intelligence agencies do not participate in, solicit, encourage or condone the use of torture or inhumane or degrading treatment."
(JM/BMcC)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
26 March 2009
Inquiry Into Ex-Detainee MI5 Torture Claims
A criminal inquiry is being launched into claims that an MI5 officer was involved in the torture of a former Guantanamo Bay detainee. British resident Binyam Mohamed, who was released from the US detention centre in Cuba last month, alleged that MI5 assisted American agents in interrogating him after his arrest in Pakistan in 2002.
Inquiry Into Ex-Detainee MI5 Torture Claims
A criminal inquiry is being launched into claims that an MI5 officer was involved in the torture of a former Guantanamo Bay detainee. British resident Binyam Mohamed, who was released from the US detention centre in Cuba last month, alleged that MI5 assisted American agents in interrogating him after his arrest in Pakistan in 2002.
31 May 2011
FA Requests Delay
FIFA have been approached by the Football Association and the Scottish Football Association to postpone its presidential election. Following Mohamed Bin Hammam's withdrawal, current president Sepp Blatter is the sole candidate in the running for the 1 June election.
FA Requests Delay
FIFA have been approached by the Football Association and the Scottish Football Association to postpone its presidential election. Following Mohamed Bin Hammam's withdrawal, current president Sepp Blatter is the sole candidate in the running for the 1 June election.
10 February 2010
Court Backs Torture File's Publication
Foreign Secretary David Miliband has said he accepts an Appeal Court ruling to release details of alleged torture against a UK terrorism suspect. Mr Miliband had earlier claimed such a decision would compromise national security. Binyam Mohamed, a UK national born in Ethiopian, was detained by authorities for seven years.
Court Backs Torture File's Publication
Foreign Secretary David Miliband has said he accepts an Appeal Court ruling to release details of alleged torture against a UK terrorism suspect. Mr Miliband had earlier claimed such a decision would compromise national security. Binyam Mohamed, a UK national born in Ethiopian, was detained by authorities for seven years.
04 August 2009
'Torture' Committee Calls For Inquiry
MPs and Peers have called for an independent inquiry into allegations MI5 officers endorsed torture techniques against terror suspects. A parliamentary committee failed to establish whether British intelligence officers backed controversial and illegal questioning methods.
'Torture' Committee Calls For Inquiry
MPs and Peers have called for an independent inquiry into allegations MI5 officers endorsed torture techniques against terror suspects. A parliamentary committee failed to establish whether British intelligence officers backed controversial and illegal questioning methods.
10 March 2010
US 'Concealed' Torture: Former MI5 Chief
Eliza Manningham-Buller - the former head of the secret intelligence service MI5 - has revealed she only became aware of US torture practices after leaving the organisation in 2007. The cross bench peer said American intelligence operatives had been "very keen" to conceal their treatment of terror suspects.
US 'Concealed' Torture: Former MI5 Chief
Eliza Manningham-Buller - the former head of the secret intelligence service MI5 - has revealed she only became aware of US torture practices after leaving the organisation in 2007. The cross bench peer said American intelligence operatives had been "very keen" to conceal their treatment of terror suspects.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
