Abib Sarajuddin
Abib Sarajuddin | |
|---|---|
| Born | circa 1942 Afghanistan |
| Occupation | Detainee |
| Known for | Detention at Guantanamo Bay without charges |
Abib Sarajuddin (born circa 1942) is an Afghan citizen who was held by the United States at Guantanamo Bay without any formal charges (Internment Serial Number 458). He was apprehended on January 21, 2002, along with family members and neighbors after a U.S. airstrike destroyed his residence. The strike reportedly targeted him for allegedly sheltering Taliban commander Jalaluddin Haqqani, a claim Sarajuddin denied. Both he and his brother underwent Combatant Status Review Tribunals, which designated them as “enemy combatants” prior to their transfer back to Afghanistan. No official accusations were brought against him. Subsequently, Sarajuddin pursued habeas corpus relief in U.S. courts, and in 2008, McClatchy News highlighted the lasting psychological effects stemming from his detention.
Summary
On January 21, 2002, during the early phase of Hamid Karzai’s presidency, Sarajuddin was captured alongside his brother Khan Zaman, his son Gul Zaman, and neighbor Mohammad Gul. While Gul Zaman and Mohammad Gul were released, both Sarajuddin and Khan Zaman were confirmed as "enemy combatants" through Combatant Status Review Tribunals.
The New York Times article
According to The New York Times, the search for Jalaluddin Haqqani prompted an airstrike on Sarajuddin’s home. This article, referenced during Sarajuddin’s Combatant Status Review Tribunal, explained that hosting Haqqani overnight was a customary gesture of hospitality; villagers acknowledged Haqqani’s presence; and U.S. forces bombed the household on November 16, 2002, resulting in fatalities except for Sarajuddin and Haqqani. The report also mentioned Sarajuddin’s capture on January 21, 2002, including remarks from American officials anticipating his swift release.
Combatant Status Review Tribunal
Although only three press seats were allocated, just 37 out of 574 Tribunals were observed.<ref name=DoDCsrtBriefing20070306>
Initially, the Bush administration asserted that detainees from the war on terror were not entitled to protections under the Geneva Conventions. This position faced legal opposition demanding that the U.S. conduct competent tribunals to decide detainees’ eligibility for prisoner of war status.
Consequently, the United States Department of Defense created the Combatant Status Review Tribunals. These tribunals were authorized solely to assess whether detainees met the administration’s criteria for an enemy combatant, without ruling on their lawful combatant status.
Summary of Evidence memo
A Summary of Evidence memo was drafted for Abib Sarajuddin's Combatant Status Review Tribunal dated 22 November 2004.<ref name=CsrtSummaryOfEvidenceAbibSarajuddin> This document detailed allegations including:
Transcript
Sarajuddin took part in his Combatant Status Review Tribunal. On March 3, 2006, following a judicial order by Jed Rakoff, the Department of Defense released a redacted transcript summarizing his tribunal proceedings.
Surajadin Abib v. George W. Bush
A habeas corpus petition was submitted on his behalf. In response, the Department of Defense disclosed 47 pages of unclassified materials related to his tribunal. On December 3, 2004, Tribunal panel number 27 upheld his designation as an "enemy combatant."
Administrative Review Board Proceedings
Individuals designated as "enemy combatants" were subject to yearly Administrative Review Board (ARB) hearings designed to evaluate whether they remained a security risk or could be safely repatriated or set free. These ARB sessions did not reexamine prisoner of war status or the initial enemy combatant designation.
Summary of Evidence Document
On September 26, 2005, a Summary of Evidence memo was compiled for Abib Sarajuddin's ARB, outlining points both supporting continued detention and advocating for release.
Reasons supporting continued detention encompassed:
- Traveling beyond Afghanistan and Pakistan.
- Association with Tabligh Jamaat, an organization linked to groups endorsing jihadist activities.
- Allegations of providing refuge to Jalaluddin Haqqani, a Taliban leader.
- Prior concealment of information and possession of a VHF radio near a suspected Taliban site at the time of capture.
Arguments favoring release or transfer included:
- Denial of harboring Haqqani.
- Lack of awareness regarding al Qaida operatives or training camps in his locality.
- Endorsement of U.S. military presence in Afghanistan and absence of hostility towards bombings.
- Efforts to recruit individuals against the Taliban within his community.
Hearing Transcript
Sarajuddin opted to engage in his ARB hearing process. In early 2006, the Department of Defense issued a redacted summary transcript pursuant to a judicial directive.
Board Conclusions
In September 2007, the Department of Defense disclosed heavily censored memoranda from Sarajuddin’s Board addressed to Gordon R. England, the Designated Civilian Official. While the Board’s unanimous recommendation was obscured, England approved Sarajuddin’s transfer on December 10, 2005.
McClatchy News Interview
On June 15, 2008, McClatchy News Service released interviews with 66 former detainees from Guantanamo Bay, including Sarajuddin. He refuted any association with Jalaluddin Haqqani; nonetheless, McClatchy highlighted that The New York Times reported an airstrike that destroyed Sarajuddin’s residence occurred while Haqqani was present. Local residents and officials indicated that Sarajuddin maintained links to Haqqani.
Sarajuddin disclosed ongoing psychological difficulties resulting from his detention by U.S. authorities.
External links
- Guantanamo Inmate Database: Sarajuddin – McClatchy News Service, Tom Lasseter, June 15, 2008