Democracy for Vancouver

U.S. Drops Charges Against “20th Hijacker”
Pentagon Won’t Try Mohammed al-Qahtani, Who Was Allegedly Involved In Sept. 11 Plot

Mohammed al-Qahtani was one of six men charged by the military in February with murder and war crimes for their alleged roles in the 2001 attacks. Authorities say al-Qahtani missed out on taking part in the attacks because he was denied entry to the U.S. by an immigration agent.

But in reviewing the case, the convening authority for military commissions, Susan Crawford, decided to dismiss the charges against al-Qahtani and proceed with the arraignment for the other five, said Army Lt. Col. Bryan Broyles, the Saudi’s military lawyer.
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Critics of the tribunals have faulted a rule that allows judges to decide whether to allow evidence that may have been obtained with “coercion.” U.S. authorities have acknowledged that Mohammed was subjected to waterboarding by CIA interrogators and that al-Qahtani was treated harshly at Guantanamo.

Al-Qahtani last fall recanted a confession he said he made after he was tortured and humiliated at Guantanamo.

According to the Center for Constitutional Rights:

At Guantánamo, Mohammed al Qahtani was subjected to a regime of aggressive interrogation… These methods included, but were not limited to, forty-eight days of severe sleep deprivation and 20-hour interrogations, forced nudity, sexual humiliation, religious humiliation, physical force, prolonged stress positions and prolonged sensory overstimulation, and threats with military dogs. The aggressive techniques, standing alone and in combination, resulted in severe physical and mental pain and suffering. To this day, Mr. al Qahtani has not received any therapeutic medical evaluation of or treatment for the physical or psychological injuries from his abuse. He continues to suffer from ongoing psychological pain and suffering arising from his torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment.

So, if he was the “20th hijacker” (and wasn’t that Moussaoui’s job? we’ve got more 20th hijackers than al Qaeda #3 guys), torture fucked up the prosecution, and if he wasn’t the 20th hijacker, we just fucked up an innocent human being for no reason.

Heckuva job, Dummy.