Former Detainee Reiterates Torture Claim
Australian Mamdouh Habib was seized in Pakistan in 2001 and during the next four years, shuttled between Egypt, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay. He was released in January, 2005. He claimed then he was tortured while in Egypt, and sued the U.S. in federal court to block it from sending him back to Egypt. He reiterated his claims of torture to the BBC today.
Mr Habib told the BBC's World Service that, after his "kidnap" in Pakistan in 2001, he was moved between Egypt, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay until his release at the beginning of 2005. He says he does not know who was holding him, but "I saw Americans.. Australians.. Pakistanis.. and Egyptians.... I was beaten, electric shock... no sleep, injections, brainwashed - unbelievable stuff," he said."
The New York Times reported in February:
Mamdouh Habib still has a bruise on his lower back. He says it is a sign of the beatings he endured in a prison in Egypt. Interrogators there put out cigarettes on his chest, he says, and he lifts his shirt to show the marks. He says he got the dark spot on his forehead when Americans hit his head against the floor at the prison at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba.
His lawyer also is filing suit against Australia which he says knew that Habib was tortured at Guantanamo.
He said detainees held at the base with Mr Habib reported that a prostitute was told to stand over him and menstruate on him. Interrogators also told Mr Habib they had murdered his family, and defaced photos of his wife, Maha, and their four children, Mr Hopper told a rally.
The [Australian] federal government said it was aware of similar allegations of torture made by former British detainees at Guantanamo Bay but it was the first time the government had heard the claims involving Mr Habib.
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