Tariq Mahmood (detainee)
Tariq Mahmood | |
|---|---|
| Born | Birmingham, United Kingdom |
| Occupation | Taxi driver (former) |
| Known for | Detention by Pakistani intelligence agencies; alleged torture and secret detention |
Tariq Mahmood is a British Pakistani individual who was apprehended by Pakistani intelligence agencies in Islamabad during October 2003.[1][2] According to his family, Tariq endured torture while in custody, allegedly with the awareness or collaboration of UK and US intelligence agencies.
Background
Originating from Sparkhill, Birmingham, Tariq Mahmood is a married man and father of two children. Previously employed as a taxi driver, he traveled to Pakistan in 2001 aiming to settle a dispute concerning family property.[2][3]
Arrest
Mahmood was taken into custody in October 2003 under allegations of links to a "proscribed organization" as defined by Pakistan's Security Act. Despite holding British citizenship, he was initially denied access to legal representation. Pakistani authorities acknowledged his detention and interrogation by November of that year. At the time of arrest, Mahmood had resided in Pakistan for three years alongside his wife and children, who subsequently returned to Birmingham following his detention.
In early 2004, Rawalpindi police re-arrested Mahmood after reports emerged that the ISI had released him without identification at a roadside location, an act contravening Pakistani regulations. His brother alleged that during ISI custody, Mahmood suffered mistreatment involving MI5 and FBI personnel.
It is reported that Pakistani security forces transferred him to American custody, fueling fears of his possible relocation to Guantanamo Bay. Intelligence briefings from February 2004 suggested Mahmood had been moved to Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan, often a staging point before transfer to Guantanamo.
Human Rights Watch identified him in 2005 as one of 39 "ghost detainees"—individuals held without access to legal counsel or acknowledgment, likely concealed from the International Committee of the Red Cross.
On February 19, 2004, The Guardian listed nine UK nationals detained at Guantanamo and mentioned Mahmood as a potential tenth detainee; however, his presence there was never officially verified. While acquaintances and family members indicated he might be residing in Dubai, The Guardian was unable to establish contact for confirmation.
See also
References
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