Pakistani citizen Majid Khan has told a jury he was raped, beaten and waterboarded by CIA interrogators in the first public account of torture by someone detained after the September 11 attacks.
Seven senior US military officers, who last week sentenced the Guantanamo Bay detainee to 26 years in prison, issued an appeal for clemency in his case, calling his torture by the CIA a “stain” on the US in a letter published on Sunday.
Mr Khan was sentenced at the US naval base in Cuba on October 29, after pleading guilty to helping in Al Qaeda plots in 2002.
But in a handwritten letter first published by The New York Times, seven of the officers on the eight-member sentencing jury denounced his treatment as “a stain on the moral fibre of America”.
The letter was confirmed to AFP as authentic by the military commissions at Guantanamo Bay.
“The panel members listed below recommend clemency in the case of Majid Shoukat Khan,” said the officers, who included six Army and Navy officers and one Marine. They signed the letter with their juror numbers, remaining anonymous.
“Mr Khan committed serious crimes against the US and partner nations. He has pleaded guilty to these crimes and taken responsibility for his actions. Further, he has expressed remorse for the impact [on] the victims and their families,” they wrote.
It is unclear what impact the letter may have, however remarkable the stance taken by all but one of the active duty service members on the jury.
Based on an earlier plea deal – which the jurors were not aware of – Khan stands to be freed as early as next year, after spending 19 years in US custody.
Khan was allowed to tell his story after agreeing not to divulge classified information. He described in a 39-page statement being tortured in Pakistan, Afghanistan and a third country after his capture in Karachi in March 2003.
“Mr Khan was subjected to physical and psychological abuse well beyond approved enhanced interrogation techniques,” the letter said.
The abuse was of "no practical value in terms of intelligence", neither did it offer any other tangible benefit to US interests, the writers said.
The letter states that the youthful Khan had been a “vulnerable target for extremist recruiting”, as he was mourning the loss of his mother at the time.
“Now at the age of 41 … he is remorseful and not a threat for future extremism,” the officers said.
Khan, who grew up in Pakistan and moved to the US at the age of 16, attributed his decision to help Al Qaeda to poor judgment.
“I am not the young, impressionable, vulnerable kid I was 20 years ago,” he told the court. “I reject Al Qaeda; I reject terrorism.”
His evidence on torture is supported by the US Senate's own investigation of the CIA's use of torture after the September 11, 2001 attacks.
RESULT
Valencia 3
Kevin Gameiro 21', 51'
Ferran Torres 67'
Atlanta 4
Josip Llicic 3' (P), 43' (P), 71', 82'
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
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Last 10 NBA champions
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2012: Miami bt Oklahoma City 4-1
2011: Dallas bt Miami 4-2
2010: Los Angeles Lakers bt Boston 4-3
2009: Los Angeles Lakers bt Orlando 4-1
2008: Boston bt Los Angeles Lakers 4-2
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Traits of Chinese zodiac animals
Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent
Results
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2.45pm: Handicap Dh90,000 1,800m
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Winner: Leading Spirit, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
3.45pm: Jebel Ali Mile Group 3 Dh575,000 1,600m
Winner: Chiefdom, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.
4.15pm: Handicap Dh105,000 1,400m
Winner: Ode To Autumn, Patrick Cosgrave, Satish Seemar.
4.45pm: Shadwell Farm Conditions Dh125,000 1,200m
Winner: Last Surprise, James Doyle, Simon Crisford.
5.15pm: Handicap Dh85,000 1,200m
Winner: Daltrey, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihi.
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
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Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
