Muhammad Saad Iqbal
Muhammad Saad Iqbal | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 17, 1977 Pakistan |
| Known for | Former Guantanamo Bay detainee (ISN 743) |
Muhammad Saad Iqbal is a Pakistani national who was subjected to extrajudicial detention at the United States' Guantanamo Bay detention facility located in Cuba. His assigned Guantanamo Internment Serial Number was 743. The Department of Defense lists his date of birth as October 17, 1977.
Madni's arrest took place in Jakarta after he inquired about the location of an American official, which resulted in allegations of involvement in an assassination scheme. Following six months of confinement, he attempted to take his own life and was thereafter classified by his captors as "non-compliant."
After six years of detention, he was freed in 2008 and repatriated to Pakistan. Pakistani authorities indicated that no criminal charges would be brought against him and that he would be able to resume his normal life. On August 19, 2009, the UK-based legal organization Reprieve initiated legal proceedings to obtain details from the UK government concerning Madni’s potential rendition via Diego Garcia.
Combatant Status Review
Muhammad Saad Iqbal took part in his Combatant Status Review Tribunal, a procedure that included approximately 60% of detainees. The Summary of Evidence memo accused him of affiliation with al Qaida, acting as an operative, collecting intelligence on a US official with intent to harm, possessing foreknowledge of a terrorist incident, and involvement in planning and surveillance activities related to a proposed terrorist attack:
Transcript
The Department of Defense released a 13-page summary transcript from Madni’s 2004 Combatant Status Review Tribunal.
Testimony
Madni stated that he wore the orange jumpsuit designated for non-compliant detainees following his suicide attempt on the 191st day of his detention.
Publication of detainees' CSR Tribunal documents
In September 2007, the Department of Justice made available unclassified documents from Combatant Status Review Tribunals for 179 detainees. Although a habeas corpus petition was submitted for "Muhammed Saad Iqbal Madni" on December 13, 2005, his file was not among those publicly disclosed.
Administrative Review Board
Those detainees identified as "enemy combatants" by their Combatant Status Review Tribunal were subject to annual Administrative Review Board hearings. These hearings assessed the risk they might pose if released or transferred and considered factors relevant to continued detention.
First annual Administrative Review Board
A Summary of Evidence memo dated October 19, 2005, was prepared for Madni's initial Administrative Review Board hearing. It outlined nine principal reasons supporting continued detention and did not list any factors advocating release or transfer. Allegations included al Qaida membership, involvement in assassination plots, connections to a female member of the Indonesian extremist group Ak Ikhwan Al Muslimoon, and a statement attributed to him:
Transcript
Madni elected to participate in his Administrative Review Board hearing.
Preliminary meeting with Assisting Military Officer
Madni's initial consultation with his Assisting Military Officer took place on November 29, 2005. He confirmed his participation and was characterized as cooperative, courteous, and engaged, although he exhibited significant skepticism due to previous experiences with the Combatant Status Review Tribunal.
Second Annual Administrative Review Board
On October 19, 2005, a Summary of Evidence memorandum was drafted for Madni's second annual Administrative Review Board.<ref name=Arb1Isn743b> The two-page document outlined nine key factors supporting continued detention and two factors suggesting release or transfer.
The 2006 memorandum introduced accusations that Madni had interacted with al Qaida operatives in Jakarta, had connections to the Secretary General of the Islamic Defenders Front, had observed weaponry at residences of militant affiliates, and had been informed about two unsuccessful terrorist plots targeting the US embassy and an aircraft. One rationale cited for maintaining detention stated:
Third Annual Administrative Review Board
A Summary of Evidence memorandum for Madni's third annual Administrative Review Board was prepared on December 27, 2007.<ref name=Arb3MemoIsn743> This two-page memo identified four principal reasons supporting continued detention alongside two factors advocating release or transfer.
All reasons favoring ongoing detention concerned Madni’s leadership position within the student organization Sipah-e-Islam Pakistan, which is connected to the militant anti-Shi'a group Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan. These groups adhere to the Deobandi School of thought and emerged as a reaction to the Iranian revolution. The SSP has been implicated in the early 1990s assassination of Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan and has more recently organized political demonstrations.
Factors recommending release included Madni’s expressed fear of returning to Pakistan and his acknowledgment that association with known jihadists was an error made during his youth:
Previous claims of direct hostile actions were omitted from this memorandum.
Third Annual Board Recommendations
On January 9, 2009, the Department of Defense published two extensively redacted memos from the Board addressed to Gordon R. England, the Designated Civilian Official. Although the Board’s recommendation was unanimous, its details remain classified. On March 17, 2008, England approved the continuation of Madni’s detention.
Habeas Corpus Petition
A habeas corpus petition was submitted on behalf of Hafez Qari Mohamed Saad Iqbal Madni.
Military Commissions Act
The Military Commissions Act of 2006 eliminated the ability of Guantanamo detainees to access the US civil courts, effectively halting all pending habeas corpus petitions.
Boumediene v. Bush
On June 12, 2008, the United States Supreme Court determined in Boumediene v. Bush that the Military Commissions Act could not revoke Guantanamo detainees' right to seek relief in US Federal Courts. This decision reinstated all previously stayed habeas petitions, enabling judges to evaluate whether there was sufficient evidence to justify the classification of "enemy combatant."
Protective order
On July 15, 2008, Kristine A. Huskey submitted a "NOTICE OF PETITIONERS' REQUEST FOR 30-DAYS NOTICE OF TRANSFER" representing several detainees, including Iqbal.[1]
Repatriation
A former detainee from Guantanamo, identified as Qari Saad Madni, was returned to his home country on September 8, 2008.[2][3] Pakistani authorities indicated that following debriefing, he was expected to be released without any charges. According to the Associated Press, Madni had attempted suicide during his initial year of detention.
On September 19, 2008, attorneys Richard L. Cys and James P. Walsh filed a document titled "Petitioner Muhammed Saad Iqbal Madni's response to court order to show cause why his petition should not be dismissed as moot", associated with case 05-CV-2385, on behalf of Muhammed Saad Iqbal Madni.[4] They contended that Madni’s habeas petition remained valid because his original detention was unlawful and his counsel lacked information about the transfer agreement between the United States and Pakistan:
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The New York Times featured Mohammed Saad Iqbal on January 5, 2009,[3] emphasizing significant health challenges he faced both during detention and after repatriation, accompanied by a photograph showing him using a walker. Senior US officials speaking anonymously corroborated aspects of his story, noting that soon after his capture in Jakarta, intelligence analysts regarded him as boastful and recommended his prompt release:
Madni initially endured four months at an Egyptian interrogation facility confined in a small cell he likened to "a grave," where he experienced electric shocks.[3] Subsequently, he spent one year at the Bagram Theater Internment Facility, where other detainees harassed him for lacking Afghan military training.[3]
Richard L. Cys of Davis Wright Tremaine continues to seek legal remedies for Madni’s extended detention without charges and is pursuing access to medical records that may substantiate claims of torture.[3]
CIA spokesperson Paul Gimigliano rejected allegations concerning unlawful treatment:
On January 19, 2009, the Daily Times reported that Iqbal held a press conference in Islamabad demanding compensation for the abuses he suffered.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
Madani's Statement
Sa'd Iqbal Madani provided an affidavit in support of Ahmed Zaid Salem Zuhair's habeas corpus petition. In his statement, he revealed that both he and Mamdouh Habib were transferred to Egypt for interrogation conducted by Egyptian agents under American supervision. Their treatment included electric shocks, physical assaults, drugged questioning, and confinement in extremely cramped cells.
Following this, Madani and Habib were moved to the Bagram Theater Internment Facility, where Madani reported incidents of Koran desecration alongside severe physical abuse. While at Bagram, he was held in a cell with Moazzam Begg and Ahmed Zaid Salem Zuhair, enduring torture for a duration of three months.
Madani asserted that the electric shocks resulted in a significant bone infection; however, he was denied medical care due to being deemed uncooperative. As a punitive measure, he was confined to the psychiatric ward for half a year.
Legal Proceedings in the UK
On August 19, 2009, the UK division of the legal charity Reprieve commenced legal proceedings on behalf of Madani against the UK Foreign Secretary. This case demands the release of documents concerning his extraordinary rendition via Diego Garcia. The aim is to identify and hold accountable US—and possibly UK—officials involved in his detention, illegal rendition, and torture.
See also
External links
- Former Guantanamo inmate Saad Iqbal Madni's 'agony' BBC February 2011
- US Torture Under Scrutiny In British Courts Andy Worthington, July 29, 2009
- Identity Of Guantánamo Torture Victim Rendered Through Diego Garcia Andy Worthington, June 3, 2009
- Mohammed Saad Iqbal Madni Reprieve
- Freed Gitmo inmate narrates horrific plight April 22, 2010
- video Former Guantanamo detainee Saad Iqbal Madni's struggle BBC February 2011
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