Mohammed al-Qahtani

Nationality: Saudi

Mohammed al-Qahtani, a Saudi who is accused of being the would-be twentieth hijacker, was taken into US custody in December 2001 and transferred to Guantanamo a few months later. On February 11, 2008, the US government announced that it had charged him with conspiracy to commit terrorism, attacking civilians and civilian objects, murder in violation of the laws of war, destruction of property in violation of the laws of war, hijacking, terrorism and providing material support for terrorism. He was charged simultaneously with five other detainees, all of whom are alleged to have been directly involved in the planning and execution of the September 11 terrorist attacks; the Defense Department is seeking the death penalty for all of them. However, on Monday, May 12, 2008, the government announced that it was dropping charges against al-Qahtani. It gave no explanation but there has been concern for some time that the evidence against al- Qahtani was tainted by the harsh interrogation techniques used on him.

While at Guantanamo, al-Qahtani was subjected to carefully planned, pre-approved aggressive interrogation methods that amount to torture. Al-Qahtani’s interrogation log reveals that he was intentionally deprived of sleep, forced into painful physical positions and subjected to forced exercises, forced standing, and sexual and other physical humiliation. After refusing water, al-Qahtani was forced to accept an intravenous drip for hydration and, on several occasions, was refused trips to a latrine. He urinated on himself at least twice. He was also threatened with forced enemas, and on one occasion was forced to undergo an enema.

In late 2007 he recanted a confession he said he made after he was beaten, abused and humiliated at Guantanamo.

Human Rights Watch Commentary:

• Human Rights Watch press release, “US: Move New Guantanamo Cases to Federal Courts,” March 10, 2008


• Human Rights Watch press release, “US: Rumsfeld Potentially Liable for Torture. Defense Secretary Allegedly Involved in Abusive Interrogation,” April 14, 2006


• Interrogation log for al-Qahtani November 2002 – January 2003


• Human Rights Watch briefing paper section, “‘Disappeared:’ The CIA’s Long-Term ‘Ghost Detainees,’” October 2004

Military Commissions Documents:

• General Information Page


• Charges Sworn – February 11, 2008


• Charges dismissed – May 9, 2008