Khalid al-Zahrani
Khalid Saeed Ahmad al-Zahrani | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Khalid Saeed Ahmad al-Zaharni |
| Occupation(s) | al-Qaeda member, Guantanamo detainee |
| Years active | circa 2001–2007 (detention period) |
| Known for | Alleged participation in September 11 attacks; detention at Guantanamo Bay |
A Saudi individual identified as a potential participant among the September 11 hijackers, Khalid Saeed Ahmad al-Zahrani (commonly misspelled as Zaharni), was affiliated with al-Qaeda and subjected to extrajudicial detention at the United States's Guantanamo Bay detention camps located in Cuba. Assigned the Guantanamo Internment Serial Number 234, he was transferred to Guantanamo on February 11, 2002, and subsequently repatriated on July 17, 2007. His initial interrogation took place on April 20, 2002.
The 9/11 Commission reported that al-Zahrani attended multiple "terrorist training camps," notably spending eleven years at Al Farouq in Afghanistan. It was noted that he entered Afghanistan unlawfully after being prohibited from leaving by Saudi authorities. Tasked with a mission believed to be connected to the 9/11 hijackings, he covertly returned to Saudi Arabia but was denied a U.S. visa due to his inclusion on a Saudi watchlist.
Al-Zahrani made an unsuccessful effort to convince fellow trainee Mushabib al-Hamlan not to abandon their training after Hamlan departed to care for his ailing mother. Ultimately, al-Zahrani’s inability to obtain travel authorization prevented him from further involvement in the planned operation.
Combatant Status Review Tribunal
The Bush administration initially asserted it could withhold Geneva Convention protections from detainees captured during the war on terror. This position was legally contested, emphasizing that the U.S. must conduct competent tribunals to determine prisoner of war status.
In response, the United States Department of Defense instituted the Combatant Status Review Tribunals. These tribunals were authorized solely to verify if detainees met the Bush administration’s definition of an enemy combatant, without determining lawful combatant status.
Summary of Evidence memo
A Summary of Evidence memo dated September 24, 2004, outlined seven allegations against al-Zahrani:
Hunger strike
In 2005, al-Zahrani took part in a hunger strike protesting the Qur'an desecration incident.
Administrative Review Board
Individuals designated as "enemy combatants" by the Combatant Status Review Tribunal underwent annual hearings before an Administrative Review Board. These sessions evaluated the potential threat detainees might pose if released or transferred and considered factors supporting continued detention.
2005 Administrative Review Board Hearing
The Summary of Evidence document prepared for Khalid al-Zahrani's initial annual Administrative Review Board hearing outlined sixteen reasons supporting his continued detention and one reason advocating for his release or transfer.
Among the principal accusations were:
- Visiting an audio shop owned by "Abu Hassan" to listen to jihad-related speeches.
- Receiving guidance on travel routes to Afghanistan from Sheik Bin Gebreen and Sheik Bin Augla.
- Fighting on the front lines in Kut Kalif, Kabul.
- Holding a combat position in the Tora Bora mountains between November 23 and December 18, 2001.
- Undergoing training with AK-47 rifles and rocket-propelled grenades at the Kut Bakrarn training camp located in Kabul.
- Having his name appear on a list comprising 324 Arabic names and other suspicious compilations.
- Inclusion in a document titled al jawazat.doc ("passports.doc") containing personal data tables.
- Being referenced in a chat conversation dated September 2, 2002, which identified his full name and family background.
- Possession of a Casio F91W wristwatch.
2006 Administrative Review Board Hearing
For Khalid Mohammed Al Zahrani's second annual Administrative Review Board, a Summary of Evidence memo was drafted. This three-page document detailed twenty "primary factors [which] favor continued detention" alongside one "primary factor [which] favors release or transfer."
Notable allegations included:
- His name appearing in a chat session connected to an attack on US Marines at Faylaka Island, Kuwait occurring in October 2002.
- Travel to Afghanistan taking place in May 2001.
- Being listed among mujahedin who arrived in Afghanistan in December 2001.
Repatriation
The United States Department of Defense released a detainee transfer schedule on November 26, 2008. Khalid al-Zahrani was repatriated on July 15, 2007.