While all eyes are on a certain trial in NYC --my eyes are on a trial soon to start in Algeria. A trial where my Guantanamo client, Saeed Bakhouch, who was held for more than 20 years without charge at Guantanamo, is now facing charges relating to the false information that landed him at Guantanamo. I have now learned that the Algerians have threatened Saeed and coerced him to confess his alignment with Al Qaeda. This is a man who was tortured for years by the US government and now they have sent him home without properly insuring his safety.
When Saeed was released from Guantanamo I engaged in several discussions and emails with the US state department to make sure that the Algerians would not take steps to interfere with Saeed's release to his homeland. I was told everything was taken care of and Saeed would be fine. Now the state department washes its hands of anything to do with Saeed....claiming that the assurances given to the state department cannot be enforced.
I am trying to determine if I can get to Algeria for Saeed's trial next month but this too is a difficult endeavor.
more later.
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