Guantanamo Londoner 'is emaciated and living in fear'
Kiran Randhawa06.03.09
Former Guantanamo detainee Binyam Mohamed is “emaciated and weak” and struggling to deal with life since returning to Britain, his family and friends told the Evening Standard today.
The 30-year-old, who was released last week after more than four years in the US military detention centre, was subjected to “humiliating torture” and despite discussing the detention with his siblings, he is still fearful and unable to describe the abuse in detail.
To ease him back into normal life, he has been staying at an isolated farmhouse in Dorset, away from the public, with his sister Zuhra Mohamed, a shop manager from Washington DC.
His brother Benhur Mohamed, a doctor, said: “I really worry about how he will recover from all of this. He cannot yet talk about what happened to him in detail. He needs lots of time.”
Benhur, who also lives in Washington, said he and his younger sister Entisar will be travelling to Britain next week to stay with Binyam — who lived in north Kensington before his arrest seven years ago.
Their parents, Ahmed and Foza Mohammed from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, also plan to visit this month.
“He needs us to be there for him, but we don't want to overwhelm him so we are staggering our visits,” said 34-year-old Benhur. “It's going to take a while for him to get back on his feet.
“There have been a lot of tears. Hearing his voice for the first time in seven years was very emotional. We have no idea what he has been though, I just want him to move on from this, to forget.”
Fellow ex-detainee Moazzam Begg, who spent two days with Binyam after his arrival last Monday, said: “He is looking emaciated and weak. Some of the things he has been through are too humiliating for words. It's a dark corner he left there.”
Mr Begg revealed that Binyam was told another Guantanamo prisoner was to be released the same day. Shaker Aamer, 42, was separated from his
family more than seven years ago while visiting Afghanistan. His wife, Zin Aamer, 33, who lives in south London, gave birth to their son Faris, after he was arrested.
Mr Begg, who remembers Mr Aamer from the camp, said: “The Foreign Office told Binyam that Shaker would be on the flight with him. There was definitely a plan to bring him back but something obviously went wrong. Binyam is really angry about that.”
Binyam Mohamed, who was born in Ethiopia, was arrested in Pakistan in 2002. He claimed he wanted to kick a drug habit and get away from London, where he worked as a cleaner and
studied electrical engineering.
He alleges he was tortured into falsely confessing to terrorist activities and claims MI5 officers were complicit in his abuse. He was held in Pakistan, Morocco and Afghanistan between 2002 and 2004, before Guantanamo.
Among the abuses he endured in the last seven years were being beaten and scalded, and having his penis slashed with a scalpel.
Mr Begg said: “Binyam has become very suspicious of everyone. He is being very cautious of people.”
Reader views (43)
I'm afraid no government would ever allow one of its citizens to bring it down through its own judicial system - SAM, Santa Barbara, US. It’s a paradox, just think about it.
Don't be a sheep, open your mind. Human beings ARE born free, but immediately shackled by the society they live in, religious beliefs, etc. Sadly, some people still think that destabilising the system that ensures their subsistence and becoming a nuisance to others is what can bring them closer to freedom.
The only place we can be free nowadays is in our minds. If you want to live in society, then you need to accept that this capitalism-infused model is the only way we can live in ‘peace’; for now.
This brings me to my point: how many electricians go to another country to kick a drug habit let alone use fake passports? Also, if Byniam is from Ethiopia, why did he choose Pakistan anyway? No; we’re NOT free to do ALL WE want!
If he truly is innocent then what he did is akin to someone who looked just like Osama Bin-Laden being caught trying to infiltrate the White House and them claiming he just wanted to see the inside of it.
Indeed, I can't help but think that this was solely the consequence of his actions. Had it happened because he had a long beard and the 'wrong name', for example, then there would have been an abuse of power.
- Luis, London, UK
This man is NOT our responsibility, he is NOT British and should be sent home to Ethiopia or back to the USA, both countries where he has lived before and both countries where he has family living.
The only reason he won't is because he knows that because of the UK's weak, politically correct, left wing liberal government, he can claim a huge compensation payout, that quite rightly, the USA and other countries would refuse him.
- John, Enfield London
Seeing a total lack of compassion in the above comments I surprised any human would want to return to London.
Sam, Santa Barbara , USA
Sam, thousands of immigrants as well as Binham want to live in London. Can't be that bad here then. Perhaps the lack of compassion shown on these sites stems from having our tube trains and buses blown up by terrorists and having our whole way of life, and yours, criticised and condemned. Why don't you go and live in Afghanistan, you seem to admire their way of life so much.
- Pat, Essex
Send him back where he came from. His family would seem to be intelligent yet this man says he went to afghanistan to get away from drugs??? I don't think so, he has had his chance and blown it and now we have to pay to support him and no doubt support his family. He will feel a lot better when he has got his money and he can take it to Ethiopia with him and build a school for the poor.He should not be allowed to stay as his presence will stir up trouble one way or another.
- Jean, London,England, London England.
Americans and British intelligence are resonsible this no result war. Both govt have spend billion and trillion of US $ and this financial crunch is due to this reason. Also torture many peoples and to rely on the evidence so obtained. This shames on BUSH & TONY who were more responsible and admit they were lier with the peoples. There is no court to charge them. Please stop the war ASAP talked with the concerned peoples, dont wast your money and resources by few hands.
- M A Sular, London
If you were tortured by the Chinese, would you head for China & bring your family out to live with you at Chinese expense ?
Send this man back to his own country, he is no use to us & is our idealogical enemy.
He will cost us millions if he & his family get together with "human rights lawyers"
Send him home NOW
Martin
- Martin, Bracknell England
I agree with Karine, Stanmore.
Some of the other comments are actually sickening!
- W Joseph, London, UK
Send Him back to his home country. He is not a UK Citizen. I can't understand why the British are making such a row about a Citizen of Ethiopia
- Ruckus (Ex Pat), Myrtle Beach USA
I will assure you that he is not unwatched. It would be a be nearly impossible to monitor him in a third world country. Despite the cost It is better to suffer him quietly and watch him carefully. We are all safer that way.
- The Rainman, U.S.A.
Seeing a total lack of compassion in the above comments I surprised any human would want to return to London.
Of course since it's where some of his family lives and where he had made a home after 7 yrs of Torture he should be forgiven wanting to return to England. I'm sure once he sues the heck out the British Gov. for being a part of his Torture contrary to English Law he will find a new and possibly even lavish home. Several commentors worried about Binyam being on the Dole, once he gets his couple Million Pounds from MI5 I doubt they will have to worry about that.
As a American I can only hope he take his case to the Hague so that Bush, Cheney, and all their cohorts, American and British will finally be charged with War Crimes as they deserve. This will take some time to happen but happen it will. Pinochet was close but his case was allowed to be drug out too long. Now that the Hague has issued a Arrest Warrant for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir it could extend to former US President Bush over claims officials from his Administration may have engaged in torture by using coercive interrogation techniques on terror suspects," reported the New Zealand Herald.
Since Americans don't have the backbone to go after Bush it's up to our Europeans Brothers and Sisters to push the issue to the end. I wonder if that is possible after reading the other comments.
- Sam, Santa Barbara , USA
This man is NOT British, and most certainly NOT a Londoner. He is Ethiopian, end of.
- Denise, London UK
So all his whole family are coming over, why don't they take him back to where he belongs? Why do you call him a 'Londoner', he's Ethiopian. If you refuse to eat, you become emaciated. Why would anyone with a drug habit want to go to the source of drugs (ie Afghanistan) to recover? It's like going to a brewery if you are an alcoholic, his story just doesn't add up. Keep up the act, some one will buy it.
- William, Hammersmith
I fully agree with Alan.Why don't he return to Ethiopia where he can live among his kind. As far as I am concern he is only here to bleed our benefit system
- Vincent, London
emaciated and weak cause he`s waiting for compansation he`ll be ok after that
- Edwin, malta
Tough, he should have thought of the consequenses before he bit the hand of the country he claimed citizenship in. He is not welcome back here anyway.
- J. L. Gammage, Hereford
Who cares? And, uh, wouldn't he be better off wherever his parents live.
- M, London UK
Of course, if I was wishing to kick a drugs habit, the first place I would think of to go for a "cure", would be Afghanistan, it stands to reason. Secondly, if his family wish him to move on, perhaps they will have the good sense to move him anywhere but this country, where we have quite enough of his kind of person to pay for, without any future additions...
- Jonathan Montmorency, cooden, uk.
Torture is WRONG. So is paying millions for TERRORISTS to live in our midst. And now his entire family is coming over YAY! Why don't we invite Osama Bin Laden as well to come and stay in Dorset on benefits?
I only hope that the anti terrorist people keep him under very tight surveillance.....
- Juma, london, uk
He should go to his real home in Ethiopia. He was a guest who chose to leave this country for Pakistan and Afghanistan. I cannot fail to understand why we let him back in or why your papaer refers to him as a "Londoner".
He abused our hospitality and should be kicked out
- Jock, London
Aw well . . . nothing to worry about then. Hopefully his emaciation is a sign of a one way trip to an early grave.
I still don't understand why he has not been put on a plane out of this country to his own, but not 1st class nor a private one. . . and his solicitors should be forced into paying for it too ! ! !
- Eoin Mcgreeghan, Derry, NI
The soldiers you are talking about have the duty to protect British Constitution and Laws in which belongs Human Rights Declaration. Even if you don’t like it, in Britain no one should be held without charge and THE TRUTH IS THAT NO CHARGE HAS BEEN BROUGHT AND NOTHING HAS BEEN PROVEN AGAINST BINYAM that’s why the American themselves decided to release him.
It’s disgusting that he had been tortured for 7 years before they reached that conclusion but, unfortunately it’s true that “in real world “most of the people are stupid.
It’s sad to see how some people believe they are defending their country while they are just fighting against what their predecessor fought for: TO PROTECT HUMAN RIGHTS AND CIVIL LIBERTIES. And now, those things taken for granted are disappearing because of their failure to protect them, I don’t think it’s a good way to serve the country you like.
- Karine, Stanmore
The soldiers you are talking about have the duty to protect British Constitution and Laws in which belongs Human Rights Declaration. Even if you don’t like it, in Britain no one should be held without charge and THE TRUTH IS THAT NO CHARGE HAS BEEN BROUGHT AND NOTHING HAS BEEN PROVEN AGAINST BINYAM that’s why the American themselves decided to release him.
It’s disgusting that he had been tortured for 7 years before they reached that conclusion but, unfortunately it’s true that “in real world “most of the people are stupid.
It’s sad to see how some people believe they are defending their country while they are just fighting against what their predecessor fought for: TO PROTECT HUMAN RIGHTS AND CIVIL LIBERTIES. And now, those things taken for granted are disappearing because of their failure to protect them, I don’t think it’s a good way to serve the country you like.
- Mrs K, UK
As far as I am concerned, he and his Muslim brothers who are dedicated to the destruction of the West, our way of life, and our civilised culture - can go to hell - and the sooner the better.
- Alan, Essex
There is no evidence he was tortured, but plenty of evidence of his own criminal activity. Clearly he has gone on hunger strike in order to win ill-deserved public sympathy.
- Clare, London
Why is this newspaper calling him a Londoner? He clearly isn't and never will be. Particularly as he now lives in Dorset.
- Bob, london
thats what hunger strike does!! he wanted to die for his own cause, better to go and live with his family in the states, if they let him in, i dont think. ANY WAY !!he will soon fatten up guys, all the others did when they came from guantanimo,why the hell are we worried for????????
- Sorraya, croydon
I suggest he be sent on a 3 month luxury cruise! That should bring him back on his feet.
- Charlie George, ilford england
By popular demand of the British people, deport him,
He is actually torturing us out of our taxes by obviously going for a huge compensation payment.
Pity he actually survived, oh and while your at it banish all those do gooders who are helping him, they obviously are only after their own pound of flesh from the taxpayers, they are a load of Uriah Heaps, parasites every last one.
- Ros, London UK
Any one ask what he was doing when captured? It is likely he planned to kill innocent British civilians. In times gone by he would have been interrogated in he field and shot. War is tough and is not won by being wet. He and his merry men would have brutally tortured our soldiers, then beheaded them. In the real world soldiers do what needs to be done without consulting the pathetic civilians they have to protect with **** for thanks. He is lucky to be alive.
- James Macleod Ritchie, Oyster Bay Cove
I am shocked and surprised to hear that going on a hunger strike leaves one emaciated.
- Gary, london
Dont you think he was given no other option but to be returned to the UK? Do any of you really think the US govt gave him a choice of where he goes to or did they only allow him to return here after the british govt confirmed he will be under 24hr covert surveillance. Something they couldn't guarantee if he was allowed back to his homeland.
Grow up and see this for what it is.
- Sick Of This Nonsense, london, uk
Hang on a minute...hes in a Farmhouse in Dorset? Shouldn't he be in the states with his family - apparently he likes Afghanistan and Pakistan and wanted to "get away from London". Give the guy a break and get him out of the country where he can find 'peace'.
- Richard, London
I can't understand why someone who says that Britain humiliated and tortured him wants to live here. He should go back to Ethiopia, that is his home.
- Pat, Essex
So he is holed up in a farmhouse in Dorset, so who is paying for that?
- Richard K, Nottingham
Who is paying for all this. Visits from relatives in the USA, isolated farm in Dorset, parents coming from Ethiopia?
- Peter Glazier, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Let him go and live somewhere else then.
- Lezli Taubler, London / UK
No one asked him to go on a hunger strike. If he doesn't like it here I suggest he returns to his home in Ethiopia.
- Tony Williams, Sidcup Kent
The best recovery for him is back in the country he came from where his home and parents and friends are. Going back to his way of life and his culture will help him recover. Living in a foriegn country will only do more damage. He will never find peace here.
- Joe, Swanley Kent
My mother, who was 'born within the sound of Bow bells', whose house was flattened in the Blitz, and who worked in the City, was a Londoner. This man is an Ethiopian National whose 1994 application for asylum was turned down and whose temporary leave to remain in Britain expired in 2002. He left the UK to go to Afghanistan in 2001 apparently because he thought that country would help him kick a drug habit and to learn a thing or two about electronic circuitry. A year later he was arrested in Pakistan for trying to fly to Britain, apparently on a false passport.
Whilst I condemn the torture tactics and the whole hypocrisy of Guantanamo Bay, let's not 'over-egg the custard' and skew the picture the other way.
Frankly, after what has happened to him, I'm astonished he has chosen to return to the UK rather than his native land.
- Roz, Chamonix, France
If he really was tortured with British connivance, Britain is the last place he would
would want to live.
Martin.
- Martin, Bracknell England
There is a very big plus that is being overlooked. At least he managed to kick his drug habit which is the reason why he went to Afghanistan in the first place. You wouldn't get results like that at the Priory
- Jonny, London
We have given permission to the Americans and to British intelligence to torture people and to rely on the evidence so obtained. This shames us all. There is no way back from accepting torture, other than the restoration of our rights and freedoms by means of abolishing the system in its totality, through armed insurrection if necessary.
- Neil M., london uk,
Perhaps it would be a good idea if his parents took him home and looked after him there the poor little dear
- Steve, london
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