I was tortured by US troops, says Taliban American

The Observer (U.K.) ^ | 03/24/2002 | Peter Beaumont

[Pokey78]

Lawyers for John Walker Lindh, the American who fought with the Taliban, claim he was systematically brutalised and threatened with 'torture and death' after US troops seized him.

The claims come as his lawyers prepare to argue that he was a soldier of the Taliban, not an anti-US terrorist. At the centre of his defence will be his claim that the witness statement he provided to his FBI interrogators was given under duress and in the hope of ending his mistreatment.

Lindh is being tried in an ordinary court and will not face the death penalty, unlike foreign prisoners, who will be tried by ad hoc military tribunals with lesser requirements of proof and could face a firing squad if found guilty.

News of Lindh's arrest outraged America. Indicted by a federal grand jury as a terrorist, he was branded by Attorney-General John Ashcroft as 'an active, knowing participant' in the war against the US.

The defence said in court papers disclosed on Friday that Lindh was 'among Taliban' who surrendered to the Northern Alliance on 24 November. When some of the captives exploded grenades and attempted to escape, Lindh was wounded by shrapnel and a bullet.

For several hours, say the defence, he lay on the ground until fellow prisoners carried him to the basement of the Qala-e-Janghi fort. When he emerged around 1 December, he was taken into US custody and kept for about a week near Mazar-e-Sharif.

'He was held in a room in which the only window was blocked, making it difficult to discern whether it was night or day,' the lawyers said, adding that he was fed sparingly and given only minimal medical attention.

Transferred to Camp Rhino, the US base near Kandahar, 'he was blindfolded and bound with plastic cuffs so tight they cut off the circulation to his hands.

'Mr Lindh's clothes were cut off, his hands and feet were again shackled and he was bound tightly with duct tape to a stretcher. Still blindfolded and naked, he was placed in a metal shipping container.'

He remained until about 10 December when, still blindfolded and 'in a state of complete exhaustion', he was taken to a building or tent, where he was met by an FBI agent.

'When Mr Lindh asked for a lawyer, he was told there were no lawyers there,' the defence said.

They added that he talked, because 'Mr Lindh believed the only way to escape the torture was to do whatever the agent wanted'.

[F16Fighter]

This mutant should have been a "casualty of war" after foolishly trying to "escape". But only after whatever info he could have provide before his "unfortunate demise."

[TomGuy]

[johnfl61]

If you believe that there is a bridge in Brooklyn for sell.

[dts32041]

Here is the little twerps muslim names as stated by the lovely Ann C.

"Sulayman Al-Lindh," "Sulayman Faris" and—his nom de jihad—"Abdul Hamid."

[Free the USA]

Check the Bump List folders for articles related to and descriptions of the above topic(s) or for other topics of interest.

[Mfkmmof4]

How about being on the side of Americans? Tell me what is so bad about being raised in the USA???????? Geez freedom :)

[Bob J]

He's got his own Johnny Cochran now, expect much more than this.

[Cultural Jihad]

Lawyers for John Walker Lindh, the American who fought with the Taliban, claim he was systematically brutalised and threatened with 'torture and death' after US troops seized him.

Of course we are sorry, but not as sorry as we would have been if he were innocent of committing acts of terrorism.

[Cultural Jihad]

How about being on the side of Americans? Tell me what is so bad about being raised in the USA???????? Geez freedom :)

The panty-waisters at antiwar.com and LP.org take issue with your statement.

[TheBigB]

"Cheese and Crackers !! (my way of cussing)"

You've got a mouth like a truck driver. 8^)

[TheBigB]

"Lawyers for John Walker Lindh, the American who fought with the Taliban, claim he was systematically brutalised and threatened with 'torture and death' after US troops seized him."

Yeah. And?

[Bombard]

The lawyers are trying to through something on the wall to see if it sticks. What a JOKE!!!!!!!!!

[twyn1]

LOL ! --

Oh you should hear me when I get really mad !! Sometimes I even say "oh Sugar" !

[Mr. K]

We should have just stripped him of his citizenship and left him in Afghanistan.

[twyn1]

The lawyers are trying to through something on the wall to see if it sticks...

Yeah--I know...

...but I'd like to throw "little Johnny" at the wall (hard) and see if he sticks !

[CARepubGal]

Waaaah! Waaaaah! Wait! I hear the Waaahmbulance coming around the corner Tali Boy! He got treated better than he deserved. A day in General Pop at Rikers or Sing Sing would have been better for the little punk. Save on trial costs.

[rightofrush]

Lawyers for John Walker Lindh, the American who fought with the Taliban, claim he was systematically brutalised and threatened with 'torture and death' after US troops seized him.

If Johnnie has all his fingernails, they weren't being serious (enough).

[rightofrush]

Well ding dang double darn!

[twyn1]

An appropriate "smiley"...

[Balding_Eagle]

Just be grateful our soldiers killed as many as they did. Can you imagine several hundred of these stories being championed by the press?