Fethi Boucetta

Fethi Boucetta
Born	(1963-09-15) September 15, 1963 Algiers, Algeria
Other names	Abu Mohammed
Occupation	Medical doctor
Known for	Former detainee at Guantánamo Bay detention camp

Fethi Boucetta (born 15 September 1963 in Algiers), who is also known by the alias Abu Mohammed, is an Algerian national formerly detained without formal charges at the United States’ Guantánamo Bay detention facility (Internment Serial Number 718). During his Combatant Status Review Tribunal, he was among a group of 38 detainees classified as “no longer enemy combatants.” Apprehended in a Pakistani refugee camp in August 2002, Boucetta consistently denied any involvement with terrorist activities and asserted that he had never been present in Afghanistan. On 17 November 2006, he was relocated to Albania, where he was granted asylum and officially recognized by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees as a protected international refugee. Subsequent interviews after his release, including a 2008 feature by McClatchy News, indicate that Boucetta, trained professionally as a medical doctor, remains unclear about the grounds for his detention.

Combatant Status Review

The Summary of Evidence document prepared for his tribunal included allegations such as supporting both the Taliban and al Qaida. It asserted that Boucetta had traveled between Pakistan and Afghanistan from 1989 until 2002, was actively involved with the Islamic Salvation Front (characterized as a terrorist organization), departed Yemen for Afghanistan at the Taliban’s request, coordinated fighters on behalf of the Taliban, maintained extremist connections across Arab nations, and was apprehended during a raid on al Qaida safe houses in Pakistan on May 27, 2002.

Determined not to have been an Enemy Combatant

According to The Washington Post, Boucetta was one of the detainees—totaling 38—who were found not to be enemy combatants during their Combatant Status Review Tribunals and have since been released.

The Ottawa Citizen suggested that Boucetta could be a candidate for asylum opportunities.

Habeas corpus

A petition for habeas corpus was submitted on his behalf. On April 17, 2007, the United States Department of Justice requested dismissal of his petition along with approximately 100 others, citing that he was no longer held in U.S. custody. His case was consolidated under Mohammon v. Bush, where he was identified as "Abu Mohammed," "Dr. Abu Mohammed," and "Boucetta Fihi." The matter was presided over by US District Court Judge Reggie Walton.

Although the United States Department of Defense released documents related to 179 habeas petitions, his petition was not among those disclosed.

Release

In November 2006, three detainees who had been classified as no longer enemy combatants were transferred to Albania, including one individual from Algeria. These transfers reportedly involved the final detainees in this classification still held at Guantánamo.

UN refugee status

A report published by the Kansas City Star revealed that the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) only became aware in December 2006 that some internationally protected refugees were being held at Guantánamo by U.S. authorities. On December 20, 2006, UNHCR contacted the Pentagon seeking information regarding detainees Mammar Ameur and Mohammed Sulaymon Barre. The agency also acknowledged that Fethi Boucetta—a medical doctor recognized as an internationally protected refugee—had been transferred to Albania by U.S. officials.

Subsequently, the BBC conducted an interview with Boucetta in Albania, where he used the name "Abu Mohammed." In this interview, he stated:

McClatchy interview

On June 15, 2008, the McClatchy News Service released interviews with 66 individuals formerly detained at Guantanamo, including Abu Mohammed. He conveyed uncertainty regarding the reasons behind his capture and ongoing imprisonment.

He recounted spending two months confined at the Bagram Theater Detention Facility, during which he was informed he would be repatriated; however, he was subsequently moved to Guantanamo.

External links

• McClatchy News Service - video