They locked me in this room, Alone, by myself, just me – With no one to talk to except for the walls, or the face in the mirror I see. So I sit, listen, and watch the television in my head Not a notion to move nor a second spared I record everything that is said – Absence of Kindness, Distinct Memories of Pain Caused by the things that they took away So I’m holding my breath,until they let me out But I’m afraid of what might happen the next time I breathe.
I wrote that poem when I was 17. These days I am living it; all over again. Then it was a proverbial prison. I was a conscious youth inside one of the most dangerous institutions of America: the public high school. Today, 16 years later, I am in another – the U.S.prison system where I am but one of a growing number of Muslim Americans who dared to speak out. Today I am a pretrial federal inmate housed in solitary confinement and in conditions that best resemble those of Guantanamo Bay.
Trust me I am not alone. In 1994, my junior year of high school, the U.S. Justice Department announced that the prison population had reached one million. By 2009, that number had more than doubled to 2.3 million with 5 million more on probation or parole. U.S. citizens now represent only 5% of the global population but account for 25% of the world’s prisoners. Additionally,1 in15 Americans is in “extreme poverty” with 48% of Americans labeled “in poverty” or “working poor”, but a recent Gallup poll documented that the percentage of Americans that realize the levels of poverty are so high, has dramatically decreased. These two seemingly distinct sets of statistics suggest something more sinister is going on.
The civil rights era included prison protests like the Attica riots of 1971 and paved a way for productive reform, but today talk of human rights tends to cover a manipulative compromise with the power elite and diverts attention away from structural cause. Generally prisoners today have enhanced rights and services but like the starving people fed by NGO’s in Africa or refugee camps in Afghanistan, such rights and philanthropy are counterproductive where they allow society to ignore the root causes of such appalling levels of crime, punishment, hunger or war. These contradictions become apparent with regard to civil liberties in a time of confrontation, when the citizen is reduced to an object of propaganda about domestic enemies in order to maintain public support for wars abroad.
The authors of the American constitution unanimously resented any sacrifice of civil liberties in the name of national security, but the reaction to 9/11, the immediate passage of the Patriot Act and a new approach to law enforcement the Bush Administration called a “preventative paradigm” ushered in an order of sustained national liberty sacrifice. These changes disproportionately affected American Muslims, however while “terrorists” abroad were “disappeared”, water boarded and held without charges at Guantanamo Bay, the courts approved warrantless wiretapping, ethnic profiling, blacksite rendition and preventative detention targeting Muslims on America’s shores. Wartime propaganda alongside a wave of arrests utilizing entrapment, where undercover agents encourage fund, and coerce potential terrorist attacks, have helped to sustain support. Recent polling documents that two-thirds of Americans support sacrificing some privacy and freedoms in the fight against terrorism. Read the rest of this entry »
The fifty-one year old Omar Othman, Abu Qatada al-Filistini, a Palestinian refugee with Jordanian nationality has spent the last six years in various maximum security prisons for Category A offenders. Since his original detention in October 2002, every attempt to deport him to Jordan has been frustrated. The law lords ruled three years ago that he could be sent back but the Strasbourg decision overturned that ruling.
The Home Office clashed openly with judges on Monday when it criticised a decision to free on bail, Abu Qatada, who is accused of posing a grave threat to British national security. The decision by Mr Justice Mitting will see Abu Qatada, once described as Osama bin Laden’s righthand man in Europe, walk out of Long Lartin maximum security prison in Worcestershire after more than six and a half years in detention without trial – the longest period in modern times [see footnote].
The Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) has imposed some of the most draconian bail conditions seen since 9/11, including a twenty-two hour curfew, but this did little to assuage the anger of the Home Office ministers or politicians from all parties at the decision.
The clash takes the battle between politicians and the judiciary into new territory as Abu Qatada is a major international terror suspect. He was first detained without trial in Britain under the quashed Belmarsh regime nearly a decade ago, in October 2002.
The decision taken by the high court judge at SIAC follows the ruling by the European court of human rights that he could not be deported toJordan because he would face a “flagrant denial of justice” – a retrial based on evidence obtained through torture. Abu Qatada had been detained under immigration laws for the past six and half years pending his deportation to Jordan. Read the rest of this entry »
In Michigan, a Berrien County Muslim man pleaded guilty Monday, December 12th to assaulting a federal officer with a dangerous weapon.
Reed Berry faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 after entering the plea in U.S. District Court. Sentencing is scheduled for April 10th or 12th.
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The incident took place on Woodland Drive in Royalton Township near Reed’s home, more than six months after the FBI began harassing Reed under the guise of investigating alleged contact with foreign terrorist organizations.
As part of a FBI terrorism fishing expedition, Berry’s house was searched pursuant to a warrant March 9. The investigation fueled suspicion that Berry was allegedly using the Internet to contact and support one or more foreign terrorist organizations, according to the complaint.
A “significant volume of digital material” was seized during the search and analyzed by the FBI. A second warrant for Berry’s Yahoo email account was obtained 11 May. Due to the lack of fruitful evidence in the material and data seized, the FBI expanded and continued its investigation of Berry and his friends. The investigation remained active and surveillance efforts stepped up with the approach of 11 September. Read the rest of this entry »
Trial Day 14 (11/14/2011); Trial Notes on the direct examination of Hassan Masood, the second of a series of cooperating witnesses testifying against Tarek Mehanna on behalf of the federal government.
Pre-Jury Deliberations
Day 14 (11/14/2011) kicked off with Carney making an objection before the jury even entered the room, relating to the prosecution’s intention to play a video of the beheading of Daniel Pearl during their direct examination of Detective Dearsley of the UK’s Metropolitan Police. As he submitted this appeal to Judge O’Toole, Mr. Carney gestured towards the audience seated across the bar and posed a rhetorical question:
“Your Honor, I wonder how many people on that side of the bar looked at the video the prosecution seeks to introduce. This was huge news at the time. Everybodywanted to see it, not only my client.”
The prosecution countered with the claim that the video was Al Qaeda propaganda, and as had become typical over the 3 weeks of trial elapsed thus far, Judge O’Toole ruled in the prosecution’s favor, describing the evidence as non-prejudicial and relevant. JC protested, with the following:
”The pile [of prejudicial evidence] is getting so high. I respectfully submit that at some point it just has to stop.”
Choosing not to respond to Mr. Carney’s appeals, O’Toole instead calls for the jury to enter the room.
Conclusion of UK Testimonies
[Jury enters; Detective Dearsley of the UK’s Metropolitan Police resumes the stand]
The prosecution proceeded first with a very brief (under 15 minutes) continuation of direct examination. During this short period, the prosecution sought to air the video of Daniel Pearl’s beheading; to the great surprise of Tarek Mehanna’s supporters, Judge O’Toole barred them from playing the video, instead instructing the prosecution to address the subject matter verbally.
Unable to air the video and finding verbal description an inadequate substitute, the prosecution rapidly gave the floor to the defense. Those in attendance were again surprised, this time when defense attorney Sejal Patel declined to cross-examine, providing no explanation for the decision. With no delay, Judge O’Toole instructed the prosecution to call the next witness: Hassan Masood (“HM”), second in a series of cooperating witnesses subpoenaed by the government to testify against their longtime friend, Tarek Mehanna. Read the rest of this entry »
Today was a rather short, uneventful day in court. There were no court matters to handle before the jury entered the room and the continuation of Jeffery Auerhahn’s direct examination of Richard Dearsley, of the Metropolitan Police Service in London, began promptly. Mr. Auerhahn and Mr. Dearsley went back and forth reading chats and private messages between several individuals, some including Tarek. They referenced files and websites found on the computer of a UK resident, Mr. Tsouli, who was arrested on terrorism charges. Mr. Dearsley identified the online names of a few individuals, including Mr. Tsouli, related to the UK case. According to some of the private messages presented, a couple individuals inquired as to whether or not Tarek could translate specific pieces. There was no evidence put forth that Tarek translated said pieces or that he even responded to the messages. Much of the material appears to revolve around the Tibyan Publications forum, and the government’s insinuation is that Tarek is guilty by association. Court ended abruptly after about an hour when Judge O’Toole announced that, due to “logistical” reasons, no more could be done today.
We must admit, the information was presented in a very confusing manner as the prosecution seemed to rush through the material with little to no explanation. While frustrating, the careless fabrication of this case and the fumbling presentation by the prosecution is not surprising. In fact, it is expected. The weakness of their case against Tarek and the fact that they never expected it to go to trial, as they were so certain Tarek would have taken a plea deal, is becoming more and more evident. The prosecution is now being forced to scramble to throw together a “case” to be presented to the court, the jury, and the public. We hope, and expect, that the truth will be seen by all, insha’Allah.
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However the prosecution has presented no evidence that Mehanna ever translated the books or redistributed the video or that he even responded to the requests.
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His defense lawyers have said he did not, and they argued that he could not be held accountable for something randomly sent to him or for associating with people on a Web forum. The lawyers have also pointed out that he was ultimately kicked off at least one forum because his views were seen as too moderate.
But prosecutors used the testimony yesterday in hope of showing that Mehanna had earned a reputation for helping to promote al-Qaeda’s message, so that he was contacted by Islamic extremists with ties to the terrorist organization’s media wing.
For up to the moment information regarding on-the-ground developments in Tarek’s trial, follow us on twitter or visit our newly launched update blog: FreeTarek.wordpress.com.
The government ignored the rich history of the the al-Kattani family in spreading Islamic knowledge and the role they played for Moroccan independence in fighting the colonial forces until the liberation of the country. They overlooked the case of the defense that the Kattani household had produced scholars that have honored Morocco around the world. It seemed to the family as if their reward was to have one of their sons sentenced to 20 years imprisonment, in a case he has no connection with.
Shaykh Hassan al-Kattani suffered four months of pretrial detention in Sala prison, from where he was kidnapped and taken to an unknown location and subsequently abused. There he was put in solitary confinement and stripped of all his clothes except what covers the private parts. He was not Allowed to have a Quran nor speak to others. Even reciting prayers aloud was not allowed. From the secret prison he was then transferred to ‘Ain al-Birja prison in Casablanca where he was locked up in a filthy toilet.
As for the trial itself, then it was the quickest ever in history. Despite his refutation of all the charges against him and argumentation with the judge, who could not prove any crime against him, al-Kattani was unjustly sentenced to 20 years imprisonment. To note he was not charged based on evidence by the police or any investigation of any crime but instead based upon alleged confessions by a group of brothers that stated they attended lessons by him on: “The Principles of Salafi Jihadism”! Read the rest of this entry »
Few months ago, the European Court of human rights confirmed the admissibility of a complaint made by Babar Ahmad, Haroon Rashid Aswat and Syed Talha Ahsan. Their extradition to the US was prevented since the stringency of the conditions at ADX Florence (a “supermax” prison) for what might be the rest of their lives, inhumane or degrading treatment. The plight of Bradley Manning, the alleged wikileaks “leaker”, has also shed light upon the infamous treatment of detainees placed in solitary confinement in US custody.
Many international instruments have affirmed that prisoners have the right to be dealt with in a way compatible with human dignity and that they should be safe from any form of degrading treatment. The UN Human Rights Committee, the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and the European Commission on Human rights have stated that isolation, in certain conditions, can constitute a cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment. Different factors need to be taken into account such as the stringency of the measure, its duration, the objective pursued and the effects it has on the person. We sometimes stay focused on the American carceral system due to its reputation. However, a text written by Djamel Beghal in the darkness of his cell shows us the ignominy of solitary confinement in French prisons.
Djamel Beghal has spent nine years under this regime. He has been transferred from cell to cell, from prison to prison, always living under the same harsh conditions. His account is shameful and horrendous.
Djamel spends 22 or 23 hours alone in his cell. He is allowed a recreation time in a minuscule space, always alone and indoors. He can never see another inmate. When he is displaced for any reason, the floor or the whole prison is blocked. Only the senior guard is permitted to talk to him or even to open the door of his cell. The shower and the recreational space are situated just in front of his dungeon and going there allows no more than five steps across the corridor. He is taken there by three to five guards.
The vastest room in which Djamel was incarcerated barely reached 9 meters square. He measured one of his cells in a Parisian prison with a small ruler. Result: 5 meters square. His cell is composed of an iron bed with an uncomfortable fireproof mattress. Bed sheets are torn and blankets have a strong and unpleasant smell, giving rise to skin allergies. Every single furniture is fixed in the wall. The table is as high as his chest. Even eating or writing becomes a painful exercise. Read the rest of this entry »
If you are Muslim, more or less young, bearded, attending a mosque, who has childhood friends, neighbours or co workers sharing the same convictions, if you communicate between each other – like everyone else – by phone … This, then, becomes an ideal “terrorist” cell, a network of “sleepers” to perfection, which, tomorrow might need to make one of JT and the press’s headlines. This cell can then be yet another addition to the hunt bag of French terrorist hunters. These hunters, who in reality are the antiterrorist judges, specialise in this field. In the legal domain, they are specialists only in the morbid arts of burying the living in the graveyards of solitary confinement and legal torture, as well as in the arts of making false records, resemblances of cases and fantastical accusations.
As for the sentences, they distribute the maximum possible on those who are culturally educated and well instructed to make them seem like the heads. They make the rest look like a bunch of blunt knives and give them just under the maximum sentence, which holds the same torments of destroying their familial, professional and social lives.
Recent revelations in Wikileaks, relayed by the daily Le Monde, 1 December 2010, written by Piotr Smolar, whose courage I salute (it is rare to see such evidence from a journalist when it comes to judicial French injustice committed with impunity against, what is meant by term, Islamists), finally gave credible evidence and a voice to the somewhat muffled cries that I have been consistently pushing from the abyssal areas of `total isolation and legal torture’ of the French prisons for the past ten years! Read the rest of this entry »
Laila Yaghi, mother of Ziyad Yaghi, discusses the arbitrary circumstances that led to her son’s untimely and unjust arrest and suspiciously elongated pretrial detention, as well as talking about the devastating impact that it has all had on her and her family’s life.
Reading through the IA comments on Shehata, I’m quite surprised that people are still debating my guilt/innocence of the govt’s allegations against me. I’ve been sitting here for 15 months now in solitary confinement, reading through all of the “evidence” the government has regarding me, and I have yet to receive a single shred of it regarding any so-called plot to do anything to anyone at anytime. I haven’t even been told exactly what/where/to whom I planned anything. I don’t even know until now exactly what I did that constitutes terrorism under American Law. So, the debate of my guilt or innocence – after 15 months without any evidence of a “plot” put forth even to my attorneys – should be buried and dead.
What it seems I am guilty of, and what this case is really about, is sympathizing with oppressed Muslims and those who are defending them worldwide. This entire case is about my loyalties – my wala & bara’, and that is why I was arrested, and that is why I’m being put on trial. Simple as that. Even former CIA agents who were interviewed about me stated to the media that my case is unprecedented in that I’m being prosecuted for my ideas, rather than anything I did. What I’ve been told is that the government is using me as a test case to see how far they can go with terrorism statutes – how far they can push the envelope. So, we’ll see how things turn out, and Allah is with the believers.
The second thing I wanted to say is in regards to the assertion that I have somehow “led people to destruction, shattered families, and brought harm to Muslims east and west.” The first thing that went through my mind when reading this line was that I could think of no better way to describe the US government that MM is so loyal to, but I snapped back to reality and the fact that only in the Twilight Zone would they ever use such language against the colonizers of their minds. It’s like Malcolm X said:
“No matter how fearless a dog is, you catch him out on the street, stamp your foot: he’ll run, because you’re only threatening him. His master has never trained him how to defend himself. But that same dog, if you walk through the master’s gate, will growl and bite. Why will he growl and bite over there and not growl and bite over here? Over there, he’s growling and biting for the defense of his master and the benefit of his master. But when his own interests are threatened, he has nogrowl.”
And history repeats itself before our eyes, unfortunately, Malcolm X’s analogy applies 100% to the Muslim house slaves of today.
Aside from my utter confusion as to who I’ve led to “destruction,” what family I’ve “shattered,” or which Muslims in the east or west I’ve brought “harm” to, I can tell you that my own family never speaks to me on the phone in prison without reiterating how proud they are of my stance, and that they would rather have me in jail because of my principles than have me “free” because of my betrayal of them. Clear enough, I think.”
-Tariq Mehanna
4th Jan 2011
Here is the original article that is being referenced in the letter and the comment.
Here is the relevant thread referenced in the letter.
![Sanâbil: [ Faith | Finance | Family ] French Advocacy Association (French | English)](http://aseerun.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/sanabil.png?w=128&h=128 "Sanâbil: [ Faith | Finance | Family ] French Advocacy Association (French | English)")
![Defence of Human Rights: [ Determination | Awareness | Courage ] Pakistani Rights Group (English | Urdu)](http://aseerun.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/defenceofhumanrights.png?w=128&h=128 "Defence of Human Rights: [ Determination | Awareness | Courage ] Pakistani Rights Group (English | Urdu)")
