Richard Belmar

Richard Dean Belmar
Richard Dean Belmar
Born	October 31, 1979 (age 47); Westminster, London, England
Occupation	Mechanic (trained)
Known for	Former extrajudicial detainee at Guantanamo Bay detention camp

Richard Dean Belmar (born 31 October 1979) is a British national who experienced extrajudicial detention at the Guantanamo Bay detention camp. Initially apprehended in Pakistan in 2002, he was subsequently moved to the Bagram Theater Internment Facility before being transferred to Guantanamo. Without formal charges, he was returned to the United Kingdom on 25 January 2005.

Personal life

Belmar’s birthplace is Westminster, and he grew up in the Marylebone area of London. He has one sister and an elder brother. Raised in a Catholic household, he attended St George's Roman Catholic Secondary School. Professionally, he trained as a mechanic and was employed by the Post Office. In 1999, he embraced Islam, following the example of his older brother.

He spent periods living in Pakistan and journeyed to Afghanistan in July 2001 to enroll at a religious institution.

Detention

In correspondence with his family shortly after the September 11 attacks, Belmar recounted severe conditions, including inadequate food and rigorous physical training. He reported being in Kandahar and made five attempts to leave Afghanistan, once disguised in a burqa. In December 2001, he traversed mountainous terrain to enter Pakistan, eventually reaching Karachi but avoided contacting the British Consulate due to fears of arrest related to his presence in Afghanistan.

US authorities indicated that Belmar was captured at an al Qaeda safe house in Pakistan in February 2002. His family was initially informed that his detention was due to an expired visa; only later did they learn about his transfer to Guantanamo Bay.

An FBI/CIA team investigating the murder of Daniel Pearl interrogated him while still in Pakistan. Although a US official reportedly suggested releasing him to the UK, MI5 officers declined American attempts to enlist him as an informant, which led to his transfer to Bagram. During transit, Belmar alleges he was struck on the head. He underwent over six months of detention and interrogation at Bagram before being sent to Guantanamo. British diplomatic efforts to access him at Bagram were refused, and they were notified of his relocation to Guantanamo only five months afterward.

Release

Alongside nine other UK nationals held at Guantanamo Bay, Belmar was returned to the UK and arrived at RAF Northolt on 25 January 2005 with fellow detainees Moazzam Begg, Martin Mubanga, and Feroz Abbasi. Upon arrival, he was detained under the Terrorism Act 2000 and briefly interrogated at Paddington Green police station before being released. The police determined that confessions made to MI5 officers could not be admitted as evidence.

Following his release, Belmar retracted statements given during interrogation, including assertions that he had heard Bin Laden speak. He claimed mistreatment during detention such as physical beatings, sexual humiliation, and being suspended in the strappado position. His father challenged allegations that Belmar was present in Afghanistan in 1998, asserting that he was actually in London during that period.

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