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Shaker Aamer

From Alfawiki
Shaker Abd al-Rahim Muhammad Aamer
Born (1966-12-21) December 21, 1966 (age 59)
Medina, Saudi Arabia
Occupation(s)Arabic translator, detainee
Known forDetention at Guantanamo Bay without charges for over thirteen years

Shaker Abd al-Rahim Muhammad Aamer (; born 21 December 1966) is a Saudi national who was detained by the United States at the Guantanamo Bay detention camp for more than thirteen years without formal charges. Captured in Afghanistan by bounty hunters, he was handed over to US forces in December 2001 and subsequently transferred to Guantanamo two months later, where he remained without trial. Prior to his detention, Aamer was a legal resident of the United Kingdom; the British government persistently advocated for his release amid widespread public demands.

Leaked documents from the Guantanamo Bay files leak allege that Aamer commanded a fighter group in Afghanistan, including participation in the Battle of Tora Bora, and that he received financial support from Osama bin Laden’s family. The files also link him to individuals such as Richard Reid and Zacarias Moussaoui. Aamer has consistently denied any terrorist activities, while his legal representative, Clive Stafford Smith, contends that the evidence against him was extracted through torture and unreliable informants. His family rejects these accusations, and the Bush administration later admitted it lacked sufficient evidence to prosecute him.

Throughout his detention, Aamer was never formally charged or brought to trial; his lawyer maintains his innocence. Both the Bush administration in 2007 and the Obama administration in 2009 approved his transfer to Saudi Arabia, yet he remained in custody. Recognized as a "charismatic leader," Aamer championed the rights of fellow detainees and reported experiencing torture during his confinement.

During his imprisonment, Aamer’s physical and mental condition deteriorated markedly due to hunger strikes and extended periods of solitary confinement, reportedly losing up to 40% of his body mass. Despite worsening health issues, requests for independent medical evaluations were denied by US authorities. As the final British resident held at Guantanamo, he was released and returned to the UK on 30 October 2015.

Family and personal life

Born on 21 December 1966, Aamer was raised in Medina, Saudi Arabia. At age 17, he left home and traveled extensively throughout the United States, Europe, and the Middle East. Between 1989 and 1990, he pursued studies in Georgia and Maryland and served as a translator for the United States Army during the Gulf War.

In 1996, Aamer relocated to the United Kingdom where he met Zin Siddique; they married in 1997. He secured legal residency in Britain and fathered four children with Zin, all British citizens. The youngest child was born after Aamer’s detention, whom he never had the chance to meet. Holding indefinite leave to remain status, he was also in the process of applying for British citizenship.

Professionally, Aamer worked as an Arabic translator for law firms in London, some focusing on immigration law. Additionally, he provided support to refugees by assisting with housing arrangements and advising on issues related to the Home Office.

By 2012, Aamer’s family lived in Battersea, South London. Following his arrest, his wife Zin experienced depression and other mental health challenges. Saeed Siddique, her father, recounted that despite Aamer offering divorce after his capture, Zin remained steadfastly loyal and continued waiting for his return.

Arrest and allegations

In 2001, Aamer traveled with his family to Afghanistan while working for an Islamic charity during the US invasion. The Northern Alliance apprehended him in Jalalabad in December of that year before transferring him into US custody. He underwent interrogation at Bagram Theater Internment Facility prior to being moved to Guantanamo on 14 February 2002.

According to assessments by Joint Task Force Guantanamo dated 1 November 2007, US military officials characterized Aamer as a "recruiter, financier, and facilitator" for al-Qaeda, basing this partly on statements from detainee informant Yasim Muhammed Basardah. Leaked records also claimed that Aamer admitted being alongside Osama bin Laden at Tora Bora during US bombing campaigns. Saudi intelligence agency Mabahith identified him as a high-priority detainee due to his potential value for Saudi law enforcement.

The 2010 report from the Guantanamo Review Task Force largely upheld earlier threat evaluations but acknowledged some allegations were exaggerated or lacked support. It also highlighted instances where detainees posed greater risks than initially assessed.

Aamer has consistently denied any terrorist affiliations; his lawyer Clive Stafford Smith of Reprieve argued that the evidence "would not hold up in court," emphasizing that key testimony came from Basardah—whom US judges deemed "utterly incredible"—and was obtained under conditions involving torture.

Eventually, the Bush administration conceded it had insufficient evidence against Aamer and authorized his transfer in 2007; however, this approval applied solely for relocation to Saudi Arabia.

Aamer's Claims of Torture at Bagram

In September 2009, Reprieve attorney Zachary Katznelson conveyed that Aamer recounted experiencing brutal assaults at the Bagram detention center by nearly a dozen individuals, including interrogators who identified themselves as members of MI5, the United Kingdom’s domestic counter-terrorism agency. Following one such assault, Aamer discovered a handgun placed on a table; uncertain whether it was loaded, he perceived this as either an implicit suggestion of suicide or a setup intended to justify his execution.[1]

Aamer reported that the "MI5" interrogators presented him with two alternatives: (1) to act as an informant on suspected jihadists within the UK; or (2) to continue being held in American custody.[1] He also alleged that guards repeatedly slammed his head against a wall under the supervision of MI5 personnel.

Similar claims of abuse and torture involving agents from MI5 and MI6 have been made by other former detainees.[2]<ref>Seven detainees initiated legal action against the British government over these abuses. The government reached a settlement in November 2010, awarding millions in compensation.<ref> Aamer was among those included in this settlement, although most specifics remain undisclosed.<ref>

Guantanamo

At Guantanamo, Aamer took on an unofficial role as a spokesperson for fellow detainees, championing their welfare, engaging in negotiations with camp authorities, and organizing protests against mistreatment. He led and joined a hunger strike in 2005, during which he lost half of his body weight. His demands included adherence to the Geneva Convention and the establishment of a grievance committee. After he ended the strike, camp officials promised dietary improvements; however, the committee was disbanded shortly thereafter. U.S. officials denied having agreed to any conditions resulting from the hunger strike.

In September 2006, Aamer’s legal representatives submitted a 16-page motion requesting his removal from solitary confinement due to its severe negative effects on his mental and physical well-being. Despite ongoing hunger strikes, he remained isolated for most of his detention period. His lawyers characterized this isolation as "cruel," expressing concern for his life amid worsening health. In 2011, Reprieve’s Stafford Smith described Aamer as "falling apart at the seams."

The 2006 filing documented 360 days spent in solitary confinement and alleged torture methods including physical beatings, exposure to extreme temperatures, and sleep deprivation that led to psychological instability. The following day, an additional motion was submitted seeking enforcement of Geneva Convention protections on his behalf.

Following President Obama’s inauguration in 2009, a task force comprising six agencies unanimously recommended Aamer’s release. Security officials suggested repatriation to Saudi Arabia; however, his lawyers argued for transfer to Great Britain due to his residency status and family connections there.

In 2011, attorney Brent Mickum reported that Aamer endured repeated beatings prior to meetings and that his health was deteriorating significantly. Mickum observed that nearly ten years predominantly spent in solitary confinement had left Aamer seemingly resigned.

Binyam Mohamed, another former detainee who was housed near Aamer, indicated that U.S. authorities sought to silence him because of his knowledge regarding hunger strikes and other incidents officials preferred to keep confidential.

Clive Stafford Smith, director of Reprieve and Aamer’s legal counsel, portrayed him as an articulate critic of Guantanamo’s injustices who was perceived by U.S. officials not as an extremist but as a vocal adversary.

Former detainee Omar Deghayes remembered Aamer as outspoken and intelligent—someone who advocated strongly for fellow prisoners’ rights and challenged guards—qualities that contributed to the length of his detention.

At Camp "No" in June 2006

In a 2010 publication, Aamer recounted experiencing physical assault and interrogation methods involving asphyxiation on 9 June 2006, coinciding with the day three detainees died at Guantanamo. The U.S. government maintained these fatalities were suicides.

Aamer detailed being restrained and subjected to pressure point torture targeting multiple areas: temples, jawline, ears, nose, thighs, feet, eyes, and fingers. This was followed by airway obstruction using a mask designed to suppress any vocal protests.

Law professor Scott Horton authored an acclaimed 2010 article in Harper's Magazine proposing that the deaths were actually homicides resulting from extended torture rather than self-inflicted. Horton revealed that Aamer was confined at "Camp No," a covert black site alongside the three men who died that day. He emphasized Aamer’s description of airway obstruction as "alarming," aligning with techniques reportedly applied to the deceased detainees. Colonel Michael Bumgarner, who commanded the camp during the incident, refuted these allegations.

Furthermore, Horton observed that Aamer’s transfer back to his home country was postponed to avoid his potential testimony regarding alleged mistreatment at Bagram or the events of 9 June 2006, implying U.S. officials were concerned he might contribute evidence in criminal probes.

2013 hunger strike and detention conditions

In 2013, Aamer informed his legal representatives that he was participating in an ongoing hunger strike, having refused food since 15 February and losing approximately 32 pounds. Previously, guards had force-fed him through nasal tubes. His attorney reported that Aamer spent around 22 hours each day isolated in his cell, with visits limited solely to legal counsel. He joined other detainees protesting against force-feeding procedures; subsequently, a 2014 U.S. appellate court ruled that courts could supervise detention conditions at Guantanamo.

2014 motion for release

During 2014, Aamer’s legal team submitted a motion requesting his release on the grounds of severely deteriorated health. They argued his medical needs could not be met within Guantanamo and that recovery would require years or might never be complete. The motion referenced the Geneva Convention and Army Regulation 190-8, which mandate repatriation for prisoners suffering from chronic illness. Despite his worsening condition, U.S. authorities denied requests for an independent medical evaluation in 2015.

UK release negotiations

Initially, the UK government refrained from intervening on behalf of Guantanamo detainees who were legal British residents but lacked citizenship. However, in August 2007, Foreign Secretary David Miliband formally requested Aamer’s release, noting his refugee or comparable status in the UK prior to capture. By February 2009, all other British nationals and residents had been returned except for Aamer.

UK officials consistently raised Aamer’s case in discussions with American counterparts. In March 2009, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith acknowledged that the U.S. was unwilling to repatriate Aamer. Later, in November 2010, Foreign Secretary William Hague pressed the matter with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton amid U.S. settlements with former detainees over allegations of torture. By September 2011, Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt described negotiations as ongoing and confidential.

Critics accused the UK government of insufficient advocacy efforts. Reports from January 2012 disclosed government expenditures exceeding £274,000 on legal actions aimed at restricting access to evidence potentially establishing Aamer’s innocence. Media coverage underscored his severe health problems stemming from prolonged harsh detention and condemned the UK for raising false hopes among his family members.

Appeals for his Freedom

  • January 2010: Aamer’s daughter reached out to Prime Minister Gordon Brown, appealing for her father’s release.
  • August to December 2010: Demonstrations took place near Battersea, Aamer’s local area, and in proximity to the US embassy, calling for his liberation.
  • February 2011: Amnesty International criticized his detention as a "travesty of justice," prompting thousands to send supportive emails to officials.
  • May 2011: Students at the University of St Andrews organized protests advocating for his freedom.
  • Early 2012: As Aamer neared a decade in captivity, campaigners escalated their efforts; Conservative MP Jane Ellison wrote to President Obama requesting his release.
  • February 2012: Marking ten years since his detention began, protests erupted throughout England, coinciding with hunger strikes by detainees.
  • December 2012: Comedian Frankie Boyle contributed £50,000 towards Aamer’s legal defense fund.
  • April 2013: An online petition urging the UK government to intervene amassed over 117,000 signatures from British citizens and residents.
  • July 2013: Clive Stafford-Smith, director of Reprieve UK, alongside Frankie Boyle and actress Julie Christie, participated in a hunger strike supporting Aamer’s cause.
  • March 2015: Cross-party British MPs denounced Aamer’s treatment as a grave injustice and demanded his release.
  • July 2015: A group of eighty notable British figures, including former cabinet ministers, publicly appealed to President Obama to secure Aamer’s freedom.

Liberation

On 30 October 2015, Aamer was transported from Cuba back to the United Kingdom. In interviews following his return, he reflected on his imprisonment and family life while condemning extremist violence in Britain, stressing that Islam forbids the killing of civilians.

Portrayal in Other Media

  • Sarah Gillespie’s 2011 album In The Current Climate contains "How The West Was Won," a song written from Aamer’s perspective and dedicated to him.
  • In August 2013, PJ Harvey released "Shaker Aamer," which draws attention to his force-feeding during an extended hunger strike.

See also

Further Reading

External links

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named TheGuardian2009-09-06
  2. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named autogenerated1
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