Caning, sexual assaults, deprivation of food and virtual drowning are some of the tortures that Majeed Khan denounced in 2021
The Pakistani al-Qaeda terrorist who publicly claimed he was tortured in secret CIA detention centers has been released from the US military prison at Guantanamo Bay and moved to Belize – a small Central American state – where he will live permanently.
Majeed Khan, who had pleaded guilty in 2012 and agreed to testify against former members of the jihadist organization Al Qaeda, “served his sentence,” according to the US Department of Defense.
Guantanamo Bay detainee Majid Khan resettled to Belize https://t.co/cusShQ1P8Z
— Fox News (@FoxNews) February 2, 2023
Born in Saudi Arabia 42 years ago, the Pakistani citizen immigrated to the US at 16. During a visit to his home country, he was recruited by his family members who belonged to al-Qaeda.
After his arrest in March 2003 in Karachi, as part of the US operations after the September 11, 2001 attacks on New York and the Pentagon, he passed through various secret CIA detention centers, where he was repeatedly tortured.
Beatings, sexual assaults, deprivation of food, virtual drownings: in 2021, he told military judges about the torture he was subjected to.
The torture he experienced was also included in a US Senate report on the CIA’s use of torture after 9/11.
In 2006, Majid Khan joined the Guantanamo Bay Camp VII for “high value” prisoners.
“Second chance”
In 2012, he pleaded guilty to “conspiracy, murder and attempted murder in violation of the laws of war, providing material support to a terrorist organization and espionage” and promised to cooperate with investigators in exchange for a reduced sentence.
He admitted to instigating attacks on gas stations and water tanks in the US and to attempting to assassinate former Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf. He also admitted to transporting and delivering $50,000 to finance an attack on a Jakarta hotel in 2003 that killed 11 people.
US military officials have released and sent to Belize a one-time al-Qaida courier who had completed his sentence. The transfer of Majid Khan ended an imprisonment that included torture at CIA sites and 16 years at the Guantanamo Bay detention center. https://t.co/pfQ8Ju203P
— The Associated Press (@AP) February 2, 2023
Yesterday Thursday he said he was “deeply sorry” for his actions and “apologies to those he caused to suffer”.
“I am being given a second chance and I intend to take it,” added Majid Khan. “I promise everyone, especially the citizens of Belize, that I will be a productive and law-abiding member of society.”
He clarified that he will find his wife there again, meet his daughter who was born after his arrest and hopes to work in the catering industry. “I realize that I will probably have a hard time learning to live again after Guantanamo,” he added.
The military prison on US soil in Cuba opened in 2002 to house al-Qaeda members and alleged accomplices in the September 11, 2001, attacks.
It has become a thorn in the side of Washington, which has been heavily criticized for illegal detentions, widespread human rights abuses and torture. At the height of the “war on terror,” some 800 “enemy combatants” were held there, a term used to deny the detainees prisoner-of-war status.
Today, there are only 34 prisoners left in it, about 20 of whom are considered to be able to be transferred elsewhere, according to the Pentagon’s figures.
“Guantanamo is a shame for our country” and “we hope today is another step towards its closure,” commented Katia Justin, Majid Khan’s advocate since 2009.
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With a wealth of experience honed over 4+ years in journalism, I bring a seasoned voice to the world of news. Currently, I work as a freelance writer and editor, always seeking new opportunities to tell compelling stories in the field of world news.
