Feroz Abbasi

Feroz Abbasi
Born	1979 Entebbe, Uganda
Occupation	Former detainee
Known for	Detention at Guantanamo Bay without trial

Feroz Abbasi (born 1979) is among nine British nationals detained without trial at the United States Guantanamo Bay detainment camps located in Cuba. He was eventually repatriated and freed by the UK government in 2005.

Allegations and detention

Abbasi’s origins trace back to Entebbe, Uganda, born to a Pakistani father and a Nubian mother, before relocating to the United Kingdom. The U.S. authorities accused him of participating in four al-Qaeda training programs at the Al Farouq and Ubaida camps near Kandahar, where he purportedly acquired skills in urban combat, assassination techniques, intelligence gathering, and surveillance operations. They alleged he volunteered for suicide missions and met with Osama bin Laden on three occasions; however, these claims were discounted due to his young age and insufficient proof. Further accusations included fighting alongside al-Qaeda and the Taliban against coalition troops, with his capture by the Afghan Northern Alliance reportedly occurring while he carried hand grenades and a military radio device. Due to his extensive training, he was nicknamed "the SAS guy" before being transferred to Guantanamo.

Abbasi’s family and legal representatives maintained that he was a young, idealistic Muslim who found himself in unfortunate circumstances at age 18, expressing concerns about his psychological well-being. The British Court of Appeal described his detention as "legally objectionable," though it stopped short of mandating government action. The U.S. intended to bring military tribunal charges but refrained from seeking the death penalty because of weak evidence; these charges were eventually dropped. Abbasi filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government alleging harsh mistreatment and enduring mental health consequences, ultimately securing £3.5 million in damages.

Following his release, U.S. officials revealed additional accusations alongside a handwritten confession by Abbasi detailing his training and participation in jihadist activities. Nevertheless, his attorney confirmed that Abbasi had been subjected to torture, which invalidated the statement as legal evidence.

Release

Campaigns against the US detention and military tribunal procedures were led by Abbasi’s mother, his Member of Parliament (MP) Geraint Davies, and human rights groups. They called on the British government to exert pressure on the United States for enhanced tribunal fairness, improved detention conditions, and greater access for families. These efforts reportedly caused friction between UK and US administrations.

Following intricate negotiations with American officials, British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw declared that the remaining British detainees held alongside Feroz Abbasi at Guantanamo Bay would be repatriated "within weeks." Although still classified as "enemy combatants," none faced formal charges.

On 25 January 2005, an RAF plane transported the British detainees back home. Upon arrival, they were detained under the Terrorism Act 2000 but released without any charges by 26 January.

According to reports from the BBC, both Abbasi and Martin Mubanga received letters from the British government revoking their passports through the exercise of the Royal Prerogative. This action was based on U.S.-provided intelligence suggesting they could pose threats if allowed to travel abroad. It remained unclear whether this intelligence originated from Guantanamo, where allegations of torture have been made. Subsequently, Abbasi successfully appealed to have his passport reinstated after being assessed as no longer posing a security risk.

Transcripts from hearing

As a result of a Freedom of Information Act request, 5,000 pages were disclosed, which included the transcript of Feroz Abbasi's tribunal. Abbasi sought legal counsel; however, this was refused since the proceeding was a military tribunal rather than a judicial trial.

Abbasi declared:

Also known as Malcolm X. I am not against America... I came here to reveal the truth... As a Muslim, it is my obligation to warn everyone involved that they will be held accountable before Allah... Chapter 32 Al Sajdah, verses 18–22.

The tribunal's chair responded: "This is not Sharia law. It holds no validity in this context."

Abbasi consistently cited international law, yet the chair rejected these claims:

"International law is irrelevant here. The Geneva Conventions do not apply... I do not wish to hear the term international law again."

Abbasi requested to be treated under the status of a prisoner of war, expressing modesty at being designated an "enemy combatant."

He acknowledged attending an al-Qaeda training camp where Osama Bin Laden delivered a speech:

"Indeed, I was present when he declared during basic training that he had received a fax from the Americans!"

Press reports

The U.S. publication Mother Jones released selected excerpts from transcripts of detainees at Guantanamo, including those of Abbasi.

His transcript contained the following dialogue:

Interview

In January 2012, Abbasi shared with The Observer that reintegrating into normal life following his release proved difficult.

External links

• Report on Torture, Cruel, Inhuman, and Degrading Treatment of Prisoners at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. (Abbasi) Center for the Study of Human Rights in the Americas University of California, Davis