Interrogation Log of al-Qahtani (Week 5)
0001: New interrogation shift enters the booth and begins “attention to detail” approach. Detainee looks at photos of fitness models and answers questions about the photos. Drops of water were sprinkled on detainee’s head when he did not answer in previous sessions, but detainee is now viewing the photos and answering. Detainee rebuked interrogator under his breath several times.
0115: Detainee offered water – refused. Interrogators begin poking holes in detainee’s cover story by covering work history, school history, and father’s work history. Detainee states father has two wives and 10 children, all boys.
0215: Detainee taken to bathroom and walked 10 minutes. Detainee is offered water – refused.
0230: Control continues asking questions about detainee’s father. Detainee states “I’ll only answer questions about me.” Interrogator berated detainee harshly. Detainee was asked about fathers occupation: corrections officer for Medina Al Harij, rank: Nakeeb (4 stripes). When asked how the detainee’s father could afford two wives, detainee stated “He just can”. Detainee was asked what other source of income his father had and replied that he sold cars, then retracted the statement. Detainee denied that his father owned any property. When confronted about the statement he made days ago about the Saudi government giving land to him and his father for a garage, he stated “That was another interrogation”. Detainee was berated and called a liar.
0400: Detainee was taken to bathroom and walked 10 minutes. Detainee was offered food and water – refused. Interrogators played cards in front of detainee and berated him. Detainee appeared sleepy so he was given a cup of coffee.
0500: Detainee offered water – refused. Interrogators questioned detainee about his plane arrival in Orlando and his seat location.
0600: Detainee taken to bathroom, walked 10 minutes, and corpsman checked vitals – O.K. Detainee was questioned about his brothers and gave the following (names removed) Detainee stated that and younger were in school. Interrogators point out the age of and detainee first states Abdul was not in college, then states that he is in college. When asked why he changed his story, he replies that he did not change his story. When asked why he previously stated he only had two brothers, he stated the other interrogators only asked for older brothers. Detainee stated that lives on his own, but his father supports him. Detainee denied studying English at a school even though he understands English.
0700: Detainee taken to bathroom and put in his cell at X-Ray for sleep time. Phase II begins by introducing SGT A as a detainee in a sleep cell near Mohammed’s cell.
PHASE II BEGINS
1100: Detainee awakened, taken to the bathroom and walked 10 minutes. Detainee offered water – refused.
1120: Corpsman checked vitals – O.K. B.P 101/58, pulse 93, weight 119. Interrogation team entered the booth. Detainee appeared very stoic at first and claimed he was just tired, which is unusual for this shift. It is possible the detainee did not sleep much due to the introduction of the confederate detainee. Interrogator engaged detainee in light conversation and asked the detainee to name the topic. The detainee asked to know about recent news events and the interrogator stated that he did not want to talk about that. Detainee began to ask questions about Cuba such as; is there a mosque in Cuba, is Cuba part of the U.S., is Cuba in America, Europe, or Africa? The interrogator replied that Cuba was its own place and had an interesting history. Interrogator then shifted the conversation to things he had done before coming here, and asked the detainee if his parents knew what he was going to do when he left. The detainee replied “No”. The interrogator then asked if the detainee’s parents would have approved of him going on a jihad. The detainee replied “No.”
1230: Detainee taken to bathroom and walked 10 minutes.
1300: Detainee offered food and water – ate one MRE with beef and drank one bottle of water. Since the detainee had earlier stated that his father was with law enforcement, the interrogator told the detainee about how he was a law enforcement officer in the civilian world. When asked about the role the detainee’s father played in law enforcement, the detainee replied that his job was administrative. When asked if the detainee’s father talked much about his job, the detainee replied “No”. When asked about his dreams for getting out of this place, the detainee replied he would like to get a job but not with the Saudi government. The detainee then announced in clear English, “I would like to be a supervisor or foreman”. The interrogator complimented the detainee on his good english and the detainee proudly replied in English that he only spoke a little.
1400: Detainee given shower, brushed teeth, and given new uniform. The detainee was very shy and asked several times to cover himself with his trousers or a towel while in the shower. He also had to be told several times to use soap, but eventually complied.
1430: Detainee taken to bathroom and walked 10 minutes. Interrogator engaged detainee in conversation about his father’s law enforcement career. The detainee stated that his father had worked at a municipal police department but was now retired. The conversation shifted to Afghanistan and the law practiced by the Taliban.
1545: Detainee given one hour nap.
1645: Detainee awakened and corpsman checked vitals. B.P. 100/59, pulse 87. Detainee was confronted about his presence in Afghanistan and Levels of Guilt theme. Detainee reasserted innocence and interrogator ran Circumstantial evidence theme. Interrogator explained how courts will provide leniency if the guilty confesses and makes restitution, and also if the guilty helps to prevent other crimes. The detainee tried to explain away the circumstantial evidence and the interrogator said that there was more information against him. The detainee appeared deflated but moments later perked up and stated that he was innocent. Interrogator closed with the detainee’s future on earth, punishment under the law, other innocent people being killed, and his status on judgment day.
1845: Detainee taken to bathroom and walked 10 minutes.
2103: Detainee was sent to the latrine and exercised. He refused to drink water. Detainee made the statement “I sick” after stating that he was on hunger strike and was not going to eat. He made the statement in English. During the questioning of the Al Qaeda document/Manchester document, the linguist intentionally changed the question in order to see if the detainee understood the question that was posed by the interrogator in English. The detainee answered the interrogators question that was stated in English and not the question that the linguist interpreted to the detainee in Arabic. The detainee understands English. Detainee became very emotional during the discussion of taking the right and wrong paths in life. As we discussed taking the wrong path the discussion lead into a discussion of consequences for taking the wrong path. This discussion of the consequences for taking the wrong path, lead to the discussion of torture, beating and killing according to the Manchester document. At this point of the discussion I was forehead to forehead with the detainee and he stated that he would rather be beaten with an electrical wire than to have me constantly in his personal space. Also, he stated that he would rather die at my hands than to be subjected to my invasion of his personal space. He stated that this is unbearable to him, my being in his personal space.
2223: Detainee was taken to the latrine and exercised. He refused to drink water. I sat the detainee on the floor and told him that he was considered to be beneath me and that he didn’t deserve to be seated in a chair like civilized human beings. I told him constantly that he was a coward and a weak minded individual who killed innocent women and children that God created. The discussion of the Saudi government followed the conversation of being beneath me. As I began to inform the detainee of the changes the Saudi government has been making in order to support the efforts of peace and terror free world I began to engage closeness with the detainee. This really evoked strong emotions within the detainee. He attempted to move away from me by all means. He was laid out on the floor so I straddled him without putting my weight on him. He would then attempt to move me off of him by bending his legs in order to lift me off but this failed because the MPs were holding his legs down with their hands. The detainee began to pray loudly but this did not stop me from finishing informing the detainee about the Al Qaeda member, Qaed Salim Sinan al Harethi aka Abu Ali, that was killed by the CIA. When the linguist mentioned this killing she informed me that the detainee told her to get out of his face. She did not move she continued to interpret as usual.
2300: The detainee was taken to the latrine and exercised. Refused water. The Medic took the vital signs of the detainee while he was standing and later sitting. The vitals were all normal. Although the medic stated that the detainee’s vitals were normal he still needed to drink water.
2345: The detainee ate a complete meal and drank an entire bottle of water at the order of the interrogator.
22 December 2002
0001: Lead interrogator gave detainee rules for the evening. Rules included “drink water or wear it” as a method of enforcing control and preventing the detainee from dehydrating. Detainee told lead he was on strike and interrogator berated detainee for the statement. Lead questioned detainee about his passport and detainee claimed he had lost it. Lead pointed out in Manchester document where Al Qaida were instructed not to allow their passport to be captured.
0015: Detainee taken to bathroom and exercised 15 minutes.
0030: Lead began the “attention to detail” theme with the fitness model photos. Detainee refused to look at photos claiming it was against his religion. Lead poured a 24 oz bottle of water over detainee’s head. Detainee then began to look at photos. Lead questioned again about passport and detainee stated he was in a cab when an Afghani stopped them and took his briefcase, leaving him with only $800. Lead pointed out that this was a cover story and detainee responded that these things happen in war.
0300: Corpsman took detainee’s vitals – O.K. Detainee taken to bathroom and exercised.
0330: Lead questioned the detainee on his passport story again and the detainee provided a detailed story about how he lost his passport. Lead noticed there were several changes to the story verses [sic] what the detainee has told in the past. This indicates the cover story is indeed false.
0500: Lead offered detainee water and told him “drink water or wear it”. Detainee drank water. Detainee taken to bathroom and given one hour nap.
0630: Lead questioned detainee about his business in Saudi Arabia. Detainee stated that he had a contracting company (possibly referring to the construction company he mentioned in the past) for two years with a PK partner, T , and that their office was on Manfooha street in Ryhadh. Detainee stated he was just starting to see good money when all his trouble started.
0700: Detainee offered water which he drank, was taken to bathroom, and moved to his cell in X-Ray for four hours sleep.
1120: Detainee awakened, taken to the bathroom, and returned to the interrogation booth. Lead tells detainee that they will just talk. Lead shows detainee a card trick where the lead finds the card the detainee picked. Detainee appears confused about how the lead does this. Lead tells detainee that he can read minds and it is easy to read his. Lead started “condemnation” theme. Detainee unresponsive.
1230: Detainee offered food and water – refused. Condemnation theme continues with discussion on how Bin Laden used people as mindless puppets to do his evil work. Lead tells detainee that he doesn’t look right and asked corpsman to check detainee.
1320: Corpsman checks vitals – O.K. Lead told detainee that he had a strange feeling and that it was probably the evil trying to get out of the detainee, but it can’t because detainee is lying. Detainee appeared uncomfortable. Lead told detainee that it looked as if his left shoulder was sagging (a verse in the Koran states that good angels sit on the right shoulder and bad angels sit on the left shoulder).
1400: Detainee taken to bathroom and walked 10 minutes. Lead initiated peace process with detainee and told him not to interpret it as weakness. Lead turned down air conditioner, gave detainee a blanket, and told him that is was his duty to respond in kind to the interrogator. Detainee became teary-eyed and interrogator asked him who sent him to Orlando. Detainee appeared to struggle inwardly about answering the question but finally decided not to talk. The interrogator removed the blanket and turned the air conditioner back up.
1450: Detainee taken to bathroom and walked 10 mintues. Lead reminded detainee not to misinterpret the kindness shown him as weakness. Detainee was searched and told to sit down and not talk until he could tell the truth.
1545: Detainee taken to bathroom and walked 10 minutes. Detainee offered water.
1640: Detainee taken to bathroom and walked 10 minutes. Lead continued to make comments about the detainee’s left shoulder sagging, which appeared to make the detainee uncomfortable.
1730: Detainee taken to bathroom and walked 10 minutes.
1800: Lead began interrogation with Taliban theme. Theme had no effect on detainee and he said that all Muslims are the same, including American Muslims. Detainee gave the names of three religious scholars that he admired; Saleh ((Heledan)), Abdullah ((Al Sheikh)), Abdullah ((Saleh)). Questioned the detainee about his father and why did he turn out the way he did (meaning the current situation). He stated that his father was no different than any other. He went to work at 0600 and returned around 1400, and sometimes would go to the mechanic shop he rented out. He gave the address only as Industrial Denom area, Denom being the city and the name as Qahtan warehouse for mechanic and general fixing, phone number as 0 .
1900: Detainee taken to bathroom and walked 10 minutes. The “Muslims in America” theme was run. Detainee stated that democracy was good and that all Muslims are good no matter where they are from. Detainee said Muslims in America have it good because they can speak their minds, unlike in Saudi Arabia. The detainee refused to speak about the Saudi royal family.
2000: Doctor checked detainee and said he was O.K. Doctor told detainee he needed to drink water. The Afghanistan theme was run but the detainee did not respond to it. He stated the Afghans have their own problems that only they can solve. When asked again about Al Qaida, he said he never knew anything about them until he arrived here, but during questioning about his time in Khost, he said that he heard that Al Qaida where in Jalalabad, AF. When confronted about this he said that was not what he meant. The detainee stated that the reason high ranking Al Qaida where talking was because they have information and he does not.
2100: Detainee was offered food and water – ate one MRE and drank a bottle of water. Detainee was taken to the bathroom and walked 10 minutes.
2215: Detainee taken to bathroom and walked 10 minutes.
23 December 2002
0001: Upon entering booth, lead changed white noise music and hung pictures of swimsuit models around his neck. Detainee was left in booth listening to white noise.
0030: Lead entered booth and observed that detainee appeared troubled. Lead asked detainee how he was doing. Detainee related that he had problems. When lead first asked him what the problems were he stated that they were between him and god. Lead then told detainee to tell interrogator his problems because they could not be solved unless they were addressed. Detainee then address the following problems to lead:
1. Being subjected to pictures of swimsuit models and questioning. – he began to cry quietly at this point.
2. Metal chair is too stiff and uncomfortable.
3. The overall treatment here. He cannot handle the treatment much longer. - when he made this statement he began to cry and sob out loud. Lead asked him if he had any other problems and he stated that the other problems he could deal with on his own. Ie: physical pain, sleeping arrangement etc. What he could not deal with much longer were his being subjected to the pictures and the treatment day after day.
Lead then began to explain why he was being subjected to the following:
1. The pictures:
2. Metal chair:
3. Treatment:
Lead then began a futility approach on detainee and stated that he has chosen this lifestyle. The “attention to detail” approach began. Lead pulled pictures of swimsuit models off detainee and told him the test of his ability to answer questions would begin. Detainee refused to answer and finally stated that he would after lead poured water over detainees head and was told he would be subjected to this treatment day after day. Detainee was told to think about his decision to answer questions. Lead would only ask questions if detainee fully cooperated with lead.
0130: lead returned to booth and asked detainee if he had thought about the answer he was to give. Detainee then related that he would answer questions regarding pictures of swimsuit models. Detainee was asked 10 questions. First 3 answers were used for training and teach him how to provide all details related to the question. Of the following 7 questions he gave 2 correct answers with detail to substantiate his answer. He gave 2 incorrect answers due to his lack of attention to detail. He gave 3 vague answers without enough information to substantiate his answer. After the 2nd incorrect answer he was told that was enough for today since there was no reason to continue and this would continue tomorrow.
0230: Detainee drank 1 cup of coffee. Upon completion he was told to go exercise and go to the bathroom. Detainee then asked lead if he could ask a question. Lead told detainee to ask his question. Detainee requested that lead add wearing the towel over his head to the list of detainee problems. Detainee related that he already knows where he is, so why does he continue to wear a towel over his head. Lead then told detainee that he will continue to wear a towel over his [sic] and live this lifestyle until he has proven himself to be truthful, and provides answers to questions asked. He was reminded that he chooses when this treatment stops.
0300: Lead and translator played cards in front of detainee. Lead instructed detainee to drink 24 ouinces of water. He was told that he needed to drink the 24 ounces by the time the next break approached. he was not finished the remainder If of the water would be spilled over his head. Detainee completed the 24 ounces of water.
0400: Detainee was exercised and taken to the bathroom. Mps told lead that detainee cried quietly under the towel while exercising. When he returned to the booth lead asked, what is bothering you? Detainee immediately began to cry and sob loudly and when he regained his composer [sic] he stated “i’m tired of my life here” and continued to cry. Lead reinforced that he, detainee knew what he had to do to go back to his brothers in cuba. Detainee then related, “i’m ready to tell my story.” Lead told detainee that he has not proven himself to be able to answer questions in detail and truthfully, therefore lead did not want to hear his story at this time.
0500: Detainee was told to drink water and drank 16 ounces.
0600: Detainee was exercised and taken to the bathroom. Upon returning to booth he was told to clean his room. He picked up trash and swept floor. He was subjected to white noise and lead left room. Lead was then informed that detainee appeared to be crying and wished to see him. Lead returned to booth and asked what detainee wanted. Detainee asked if he could have food and water. Lead told detainee that he would give him food and water but if he mentioned going on strike from food and water as he has in the past lead would take it away. Detainee related that he would not mention going on food / water strike anymore to lead.
0700: Lead returned to booth and instructed detainee to go to sleep. He was reminded of his choices and lifestyle he could choose.
1100: Detainee awakened and taken to bathroom. Interrogator engaged detainee in conversation and asked the detainee why Muslims would consider the U.S. oppressive. Detainee was evasive and would not answer the question.
1115: Detainee was offered water and refused, so the interrogator poured some of the bottle over the detainee’s head. Detainee began to answer the interrogator’s question by stating the Muslims did not like the U.S. being in Saudi Arabia. Interrogator pointed out that the Saudi government had invited the U.S. into Saudi Arabia. Detainee responded that that was due to Iraq, and that they were no longer a threat so the U.S. had no reason to still be in Saudi. The detainee stated that this was not his opinion and that he did not see the U.S. presence as sinful, but others might see the 9-11 attacks as a warning to the U.S. to leave Saudi.
1215: Detainee taken to bathroom and walked 10 minutes. Control started a “drill instructor” approach and instructed the detainee to salute when the control entered the booth and to answer questions respectfully with “sir”. The control ran several drills asking questions and encouraging the detainee to answer quickly and loudly. After several questions the detainee was responding as desired, and the control slipped in a question about the detainee’s involvement with Al Qaida. The detainee appeared to start to give an answer but then caught himself and stated “Sir I wasn’t Al Qaida, sir”.
1245: Detainee offered food – refused. Detainee drank one bottle of water. DI approach continued with control outlining to detainee that the interrogators were the detainee’s only family now.
1515: Detainee taken to bathroom and walked 10 minutes. Lead entered the booth and asked the detainee what had been transpiring. Detainee told lead that control had been telling him the rules. Lead decided to engage in conversation and recommended the circumstantial evidence theme. Detainee stated that he did not like that topic. Lead asked the linguist what to talk about and the linguist suggested Al Qaida. Detainee stated that he did not like that topic either. The detainee finally stated that he would like to know about agriculture in the U.S. Lead started telling about crops grown in the U.S. and transitioned into the circumstantial evidence theme. The detainee was reminded that the people he was captured with were Al Qaida, and that even though some of the people he was captured with were talking about him, we would not divulge their names. Detainee was reminded that when he talked, his name would be protected as well. Detainee’s actions were compared to the Manchester Document.
1700: Detainee taken to bathroom and walked 10 minutes. Lead engaged detainee in conversation about his travel from Afghanistan to Pakistan. Detainee described trip in detail from the month-long stay with A in Khost up to his arrival in Cuba. Detainee stated that an Afghani named S lead the group on foot from Afghanistan to Pakistan. Detainee also stated that he stayed close to S and three Afghanis during the journey. He described the Afghans in detail, but would not offer descriptions of the Arabs in the group. When asked why he did not associate with the other Arab speakers in the group, he stated he was afraid of them because he had been robbed (he stated that he had been robbed by an Afghani while riding in a taxi, so it doesn’t make any sense that he would want to avoid Arabs and stay close to Afgans.)
1830: Detainee taken to bathroom and walked 10 minutes. Detainee continued detailing his trip from Afghanistan to Cuba.
2000: Detainee given a nap.
2130: Detainee was awaken. The themes that were employed for the night were Taliban, Afghanistan and Al Qaeda falling apart. The detainee did not provide the interrogators with any new information.
2245: Detainee was taken to the latrine and exercised for approximately 10 minutes. Refused water. Female interrogator used invasion of personal space and detainee cried out to Allah several times.
2345: Detainee was taken to the latrine and exercised.
24 December 2002
0001: Control entered booth, changed music playing, and hung binder of fitness models around detainee’s neck.
0020: Lead entered the booth and asked the detainee why he stated he respected the lead. Detainee stated that lead treated him better than the second shift. Lead asked detainee what he thought of lead. Detainee hesitated to answer and was berated. Detainee finally stated that the lead spoke injustices by confront him with the circumstantial evidence when the detainee told his story. Lead explained that this was done because the detainee is lying and we know he is lying because he keeps changing his story, but the truth will always stay the same. Rules have changed theme was covered.
0200: Control entered the booth and began the “attention to detail” lesson for the night. The detainee still would not accurately answer questions about the fitness models and control stated that the lesson would continue the next day. Detainee complained that the interrogator had said that today would be the last day of this lesson. Control replied that the lesson would continue until the detainee could accurately answer all questions asked of him during the lesson. Control left the booth with the detainee still complaining about the lessons.
0300: Detainee offered water – drank one bottle. Detainee taken to bathroom and walked 10 minutes, then allowed to take a nap.
0500: Detainee awakened, taken to bathroom, and walked 15 minutes.
0615: Detainee offered food and water – ate one MRE and drank one bottle of water. Rules have changed theme was used and detainee was reminded that he would remain here until he told the truth. Detainee was attentive during session.
0645: Detainee taken to bathroom and walked 10 minutes.
0700: Detainee taken to his sleeping cell in X-Ray for sleep time.
1100: Detainee awakened but left in X-Ray cell as part of a prearranged operation to allow more time for conversation between detainee and confederate. Detainee was rushed back into his cell just after being removed while walking to interrogation booth, and the guards appeared anxious that something was happening. Detainee trembled uncontrollably until confederate talked to him to calm him down. Confederate asked the detainee “what is your case” and detainee declared “it is big” and began to cry.
1130: Detainee taken to bathroom and walked 10 minutes.
1145: Corpsman checked vitals and changed ankle bandages to prevent chafing. Pulse was slightly elevated and corpsman elected to recheck a couple of hours later. Control started session with Drill Instructor approach and continued reinforcing the lessons of the previous day. Detainee remembered the lessons of previous day and saluted control when he entered the booth. Detainee initially refused water so control poured a little on detainee’s head. Detainee then accepted the water and food.
1230: Detainee offered food and water – ate one MRE and drank two bottles of water. Control continued DI approach and instructed detainee to tell about his trip from Orlando to Afghanistan. Control wrote itinerary on a dry erase board with dates and time spans and showed the detainee that he would have arrived in Mazar e Sharif Sep. 14, 2001, and would have been in Kandahar during the most intense bombing. Detainee was shown the stupidity of the cover story. Detainee began to become angry with the DI approach and control decided to end the session rather than have the detainee start resisting.
1400: Detainee taken to bathroom and walked 10 minutes.
1415: Corpsman checked vitals – O.K. Lead entered the booth and began to talk about Afghanistan and it’s terrain. Lead then began to speak about the terrain in the U.S. When lead got to the terrain in Florida, the detainee asked if Orlando was close to Florida. Lead ridiculed detainee for not knowing that Orlando was a city in the state of Florida and launched into the circumstantial evidence theme with a futility approach. Lead told detainee that he was stupid and that is why no one will believe the stupid cover story he has used. Lead stated the evidence against the detainee was enough for lead to believe detainee was guilty, and detainee stated that that was the lead’s opinion. Lead replied that everyone had the same opinion about detainee. Detainee stated that he hoped the other interrogators did not share this opinion. Detainee was told that his only hope of leniency was a change of heart and a desire to do good.
1600: Detainee taken to bathroom and walked 10 minutes.
1700: Detainee given a nap.
1800: Third shift began; detainee was woken from his nap. Interrogation began with SGT M and a DOD linguist. the interrogation began with what we know, mainly with the time line he had given in the previous shift, the detainee seemed disturbed and stated that the whole timeline was wrong and then tried to say that he was confused by the times he had gave. When asked “How long after you tried to enter America did you spend in UAE” the answer was about a month and half which is similar to the timeline in the previous shift. The detainee tried to act as if he had a mental problem, but when I jumped up and told him not to start faking that condition he regained his composure, it was the only time I’ve ever seen him do that but he has tried that tactic on other shifts.
1930: Detainee was taken to latrine and exercised.
2000: M.D. checked the detainee out every thing ok.
2030: Detainee ate an MRE and drank one and half bottles of water.
2100: Circumstantial evidence was the next theme used, the detainee was reminded that all the evidence shows that he is Al Qaida and that it is time to tell the truth, detainee sat there in silence for a about a minute and seemed as he was going to let it all out, but stuck to his story again. The detainee is thinking a lot more on the themes when presented to him, seems to be on the verge of breaking.
2230: Detainee was taken to the latrine and exercised.
2330: Detainee laid down for a 30 minute nap.
2400: Interrogation over.
25 December 2002
0030: Detainee taken to bathroom and walked 15 minutes.
0045: Interrogation began with interrogator speaking plainly to the detainee that his cover story was a lie and because he kept lying, he would not get a chance to return to Delta. Interrogator stated that a smart man would not do this. Interrogator asked detainee if he was stupid or afraid, and eventually concluded the detainee was just stupid because the detainee’s past and continued actions were what brought and kept him here. Detainee became more and more angry with this line or reasoning and stated that he was on strike. Interrogator poured one half bottle of water over detainee’s head and yelled that the detainee was not in control in the booth, that the interrogator decided everything that happened to him, but the detainee could take that power away by simply telling the truth. Detainee yelled back that the interrogator did this to him and the rest of the bottle was poured over the detainee’s head to illustrate the point that the interrogator was in control.
0230: Detainee taken to bathroom and walked 30 minutes.
0300: Detainee offered water and refused. Interrogator poured some water on detainee’s head and detainee decided to drink a half bottle of water. Interrogator began to play cards with MP to ignore the detainee due to a BSCT assessment that the interrogators may be becoming the family figures of the detainee, and the interrogator wanted to see if the detainee would try to seek attention. The detainee tried to interrupt the card game by saying “You choose to pour water on me, you do this to me,” and “I don’t understand why you pour water on me when I refuse to drink, I decide when I’m thirsty”. The interrogator laughed at the detainee and replied that the interrogator controlled all in the booth, and the detainee chose to stay in the booth. Detainee started falling asleep so interrogator had detainee stand up for 30 minutes.
0430: Detainee given a nap.
0600: Detainee awakened from nap and interrogator again asked detainee what he hoped to gain by being here. Interrogator asked detainee why his hands were clenched and detainee replied that he was cold so interrogator wrapped blanket around detainee and continued the futility approach.
0645: Interrogator left detainee with linguist to ponder what he had been told. Linguist talked to detainee as arranged by the interrogator and reinforced the futility approach, telling him that AQ was destroyed and no one would be coming to help him. The linguist also told him not to be afraid of anyone if he told the truth because God would help him. The linguist suggested that the detainee give some bits of truth and see how his treatment improved.
0700: Interrogator and linguist entered the booth and reinforced the futility approach. Detainee asked for breakfast and the interrogator gave him an MRE which he ate.
0725: Detainee taken to sleeping cell.
1200: Detainee is woken up, and taken to the bathroom.
1220: The detainee is placed in the interrogation booth and he is checked out by medical personnel. The detainee is dehydrated and given the choice of drinking water or receiving IV’s. The detainee refuses water and is given three IV’s.
1339: Detainee is given a bathroom break and exercised. Medical check conducted.
1440: Interrogation resumes. Interrogator begins theme that all this will stop if the detainee simply tells the truth. The topic of respect was discussed and how his family must be disappointed with him.
1515: Detainee is given a bathroom break and exercised. Medical check conducted.
1535: Detainee is given MRE and he eats it and drinks 1 bottle of water.
1600: Interrogations resume. Detainee was told about leadership and detainee stated that he did not want to be a leader and did not want any responsibilities.
1715: Detainee is given a bathroom and exercise break. Medical check conducted.
1735: Interrogation resumes. Detainee was asked about his trip prior to Orlando and detainee stated that he went to UAE, Pakistan, then Afghanistan the summer of 2000, and the interrogator asked where he received his AQ training. Detainee stated he was not AQ and the interrogator asked him why he went to AF the summer of 2000. Detainee then stated that it was the summer of 2001 when he went.
1750: Interrogation ends. Detainee was offered water throughout the day and refused.
1810: Detainee refused water. He was sent to the latrine and exercised. The medic wrapped left arm because it contained the housing unit for an IV.
1929: Detainee refused water. He was exercised and sent to the latrine. Detainee spoke in English when the female interrogator invaded his personal space.
2022: Detainee was given a latrine break and exercised. He refused water. The interrogator was talking to the detainee about his inability to get into the US in Orlando, and the detainee stated that he would have gotten in if he had filled out the INS paper himself, he would have gotten into the country. The interrogator had the detainee write the word “business” five times on a piece of paper, but the detainee had to have coaching to write the word.
2208: Detainee continued to refuse to drink water. He was taken to the latrine and exercised.
2315: Detainee was given an exercise break. The medic checked his vitals and they were normal. His blood pressure was 117/74 and his pulse rate was 62 while standing. His blood pressure was 118/79 and his pulse rate was 53 while sitting.
2350: Detainee was given a complete meal ready to eat and a bottle of water. He did not refuse to eat or drink. He completed his meal to include the water.
26 December 2002
0001: Detainee was eating his food (given by the previous team). Lead walked into booth turned on white noise and put picture binder of swimsuit models over detainees neck.
0030: Lead entered the booth and began attention to detail approach. Detainee missed 3 of 10 questions. He has learned to provide more details and provides enough information to substantiate his answers. He still has a problem paying attention to detail and fabricates information not on pictures. Control berated the detainee about the fabrication he provided to questions of the pictures and compared this fabrication to the fabrication of story told regarding his travel to the US and Afghanistan. Lead then began the circumstantial evidence / futility approach. Lead covered circumstantial evidence in detail and told the detainee that the evidence does not lie.
0200: Detainee was exercised and taken to bathroom. Detainee refused water. When detainee returned to booth lead played cards and ignored detainee. Lead berated detainee throughout.
0400: Detainee was exercised and taken to bathroom. Detainee refused water.
0430: Detainee was instructed to sleep.
0630: Detainee was woken up by lead. Lead used a futility approach describing standard of living here vs standard of living at delta with his brothers. Detainees vitals were taken. Detainee drank 2 bottles of water. Detainee was instructed to pray. After the prayer he was told that he could look forward to having prayers anytime he chooses at delta. Lead emphasized that detainee knows what he has to do to go back to his brothers in delta. He was told to think about it and instructed to go to his cell and eat then go to sleep.
0730: Detainee departed to his cell to eat and sleep.
1115: Detainee awakened and taken to the head. Detainee was then walked for 10 minutes.
1130: Interrogation team entered the booth, IS1 E , SGT B and a DOD Linguist. Futility and Circumstantial Evidence were covered.
1230: Detainee was offered and refused water.
1300: Head Break and 10 minute exercise.
1330: Detainee refused Meal and water. Detainee was instructed that jihadism and terrorism were different, but detainee shook his head “no” indicating that he thought they were the same.
1500: Head break and 10 minute exercise. Detainee was given the silent treatment during this next session. He did not attempt to speak to interrogators.
1630: Head break and 10 minute exercise.
1700: Detainee ate 1 MRE and drank 1 bottle of water. IS1 E continued engaging the detainee in conversation in an attempt to keep communication flowing and with long term intentions of limiting the topics until the detainee is driven to speak only of his Al Qaida associations.
1810: Detainee was exercised for circulation and taken to the latrine.
1930: Detainee was sent to the latrine and exercised. He did not want any water.
1945: The doctor checked the detainee. The doctor looked at the detainee’s back to ensure there were no abrasions from sitting in the metal chair for long periods of time. The doctor said everything was good.
2030: Detainee stated that SGT L would be the cause of him committing suicide. He requested to write a will. His request was granted and he wrote a will with a crayon. Lead had will translated and it was a request that if he died here to have his body and passport sent back to his country quickly and to notify his mother. Lead entered booth with the detainee’s will and told detainee that since he had allowed the detainee this opportunity, what would the detainee offer in return. The detainee said “thank you” and lead stated that was not enough. Lead told detainee that a single truth would be enough and asked the detainee “who recruited you into Al Qaida?” Detainee stated he was not Al Qaida and lead tore up the detainee’s will in front of him.
2100: Detainee was taken to the latrine and exercised. He was given a meal ready to eat and a bottle of water. He ate all of the meal and drank all of the water.
2220: Detainee was given a latrine break and exercised for approximately 10 minutes. He does not desire water.
2330: Detainee was taken to the latrine and exercised.
27 December 2002
0001: Lead entered the booth and offered water to detainee – refused. Lead poured the water over the detainee’s head and offered a second bottle of water – refused. Lead poured the second bottle over the detainee’s head. Lead confronted detainee with the inconsistent stories he had given about his family members. Detainee stated that he was afraid for his family because he didn’t trust us.
0100: Detainee was taken to bathroom and walked 10 minutes. The “attention to detail” theme was run with the fitness model photos. The detainee answered five questions correctly and was told that we would not run the attention to detail lesson again unless we felt that he was not giving details about the questions we asked him.
0200: Detainee taken to bathroom and walked 10 minutes. The detainee was told that since he could now provide detailed answers, he would review the location of the visa office where he had obtained his US visa. Maps were used and the detainee was questioned to see if he could properly estimate distance on the maps. The detainee was accurate in this line of questioning. The questioning provided the following information:
Name of visa office: M
Owner: K
Worker #1: K
Worker #2: F
Location: Shari Al Ulayya street approximately 2km n/o Shar A Mahar in the Al
Ulayya district of Riyadh.
Grid coordinate: 7031
Map used: Saudi Arabia graphic
Map name: Ar Riyad
Scale: 1:25,000
Edition: 5-NIMA
Series: K9611
Sheet: 4
0400: Detainee taken to bathroom and walked 10 minutes. Detainee was offered water – refused. Detainee was told to go to sleep.
0600: Detainee awakened, taken to bathroom, and walked 10 minutes. Corpsman checked vitals – O.K. Detainee offered food and water – ate one MRE and drank two bottles of water.
0715: Detainee taken to sleep cell for sleep period.
1100: Detainee awakened, taken to bathroom, and exercised 10 minutes.
1120: Detainee offered water – refused. Lead began by asking the detainee why he wanted to write a will. Detainee was evasive and finally stated that he didn’t want to answer that question. When asked if he was going to try to commit suicide, the detainee stated “no”, but death had been entering his mind lately. The detainee was allowed to rewrite his will (it was essentially the same as that written the previous day). Control began discussing the condemnation of UBL by Islamic leaders.
1300: Detainee taken to bathroom and walked 10 minutes.
1315: Detainee offered food and water – refused. Control continued discussion about UBL, fatwas, and leading clerics.
1415: Detainee taken to bathroom and walked 10 minutes. Control continued theme and steered it towards levels of guilt and how AQ personnel were cooperating and reducing their levels of guilt by doing so. Control told detainee about witness protection program without making any offers of protection.
1530: Detainee taken to bathroom and walked 10 minutes. Lead entered the booth and began talking about detainee’s youth.
1630: Detainee taken to bathroom and walked 10 minutes. Detainee offered water – refused. Lead continued by talking about how some people use religion to prey upon young people, and mislead them into doing things that are wrong. Lead told detainee that it appeared the detainee was having trouble asking God for forgiveness. Lead explained process in Christianity for asking forgiveness.
1800: Detainee taken to bathroom and walked 10 minutes.
1815: Corpsman took vitals – O.K.
1820: Interrogation began with circumstantial evidence by SGT M. Detainee was very resistant, possibly due to presence of LT G. Detainee gave descriptive information on the person at the car dealership in Riyadh and the person who was supposed to meet him in Orlando. The information given was in keeping with his cover story.
1910: Lt G began interrogation by talking about fear and trust, and how the truth is easy to recall but lies take effort, and someone who is tired will have trouble telling the same lies all the time. Detainee offered that he would tell the truth to LT because he felt he could trust the LT and gave his brother’s and sister’s names as well as his father’s name and phone number. This list is nearly identical to a listing of siblings given by him on 9 APR 02, which tend to indicate this information is truthful. LT asked detainee why he gave different information to the other interrogators and detainee stated that he didn’t trust the others. LT began explaining that since the detainee spent so much time in AF that he must have useful information about AQ. Detainee repeatedly stated that he didn’t know anything about AQ and kept a severe frown on his face during this line of questioning.
2020: Detainee offered water – took one sip.
2025: Detainee taken to bathroom and walked 10 minutes.
2100: Detainee ate an MRE and drank a bottle of water.
2110: Circumstantial evidence theme was used by SGT M. The detainee seemed very responsive when told that not only the evidence was there but that a lot of the detainees are talking.
2200: Detainee exercised and given a latrine break. Detainee tripped stepping out of latrine. Corpsman looked detainee over and everything was O.K. Lt G continued interrogation and reminded the detainee that there was only one way out. LT explained to detainee why the U.S. was doing the things it was due to being at war.
2308: Detainee offered water – took one sip.
2335: Detainee taken to bathroom and walked 15 minutes.