Depraved terrorist or innocent man? The story of Mamdouh Habib | 60 Minutes Australia

Summary

The story of Mamdouh Habib, an Australian citizen who was detained for over three years without charge, highlights the ongoing controversy surrounding his alleged terrorism links. Habib claims to have suffered severe torture during his detention in various countries, including electric shocks, physical abuse, and mental torment. He was accused of supporting terrorist activities but denied all charges. After his release without charges, he returned to his family, but remains under suspicion. His case raises critical questions about justice, the treatment of detainees, and the balance between national security and human rights.

Takeaways

• 😀 Mamdu Habib's case divides opinions: he's either a dangerous terrorist or an innocent man persecuted by authorities.
• 😀 Habib spent more than three years in detention without being charged, with the U.S. failing to provide evidence to convict him.
• 😀 Habib claims he was tortured during his imprisonment, including threats of sexual assault and physical abuse.
• 😀 The torture Habib faced allegedly included being subjected to electric shocks, isolation, and mental abuse like being told his family was dead.
• 😀 Habib was captured in Pakistan in 2001, where he was reportedly tortured and interrogated, with the U.S. and Australian authorities allegedly involved in his mistreatment.
• 😀 He was transferred from Pakistan to Egypt, where he continued to face harsh torture tactics, including electric shocks and physical abuse.
• 😀 Habib asserts that he falsely confessed to various crimes under duress, including involvement in the 9/11 attacks and other terrorist activities.
• 😀 Despite his claims of innocence, Habib has been linked to extremists, such as convicted terrorists Ibrahim El Gabrani and Sheikh Omar Abdel Rahman, which raised suspicions about his associations.
• 😀 While Habib denied supporting jihad or terrorism, he expressed disapproval of the actions of figures like Osama bin Laden after 9/11.
• 😀 In 2005, after being detained at Guantanamo Bay, Habib was released and returned to Australia, where he faced public skepticism about his innocence and associations with terrorism.
• 😀 Habib maintains that he is a victim of an injustice, and despite his release, intelligence sources continue to consider him a security threat.

Q & A

Who is Mamdu Habib and why is he a controversial figure?

Mamdu Habib is an Australian citizen who was detained for over three years in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, without being charged. He became a controversial figure due to allegations of terrorism, including links to extremist groups and the September 11 attacks. However, he maintains his innocence, claiming he was a victim of torture and wrongful imprisonment.

What are some of the allegations made against Mamdu Habib?

Mamdu Habib has been accused of supporting terrorism, being involved in a jihad against the West, training terrorists, and having prior knowledge of the September 11 attacks. There are also reports that he was in Afghanistan and associated with extremist elements.

What does Mamdu Habib claim about his treatment during detention?

Habib claims that he was tortured during his detention, including physical abuse, threats of sexual assault, and mental torment. He also states that he was told his family had been killed, which led to severe emotional distress. He also describes being subjected to electric shocks and isolation during his imprisonment.

How did Mamdu Habib describe his time in Guantanamo Bay?

In Guantanamo Bay, Habib describes being isolated, deprived of basic human necessities like soap and water, and treated inhumanely. He alleges that he was subjected to cruel treatment, including verbal abuse and humiliation, and was kept in isolation for extended periods.

What was the role of Australian officials in Habib's case?

Habib claims that Australian officials were aware of his mistreatment and that an Australian official witnessed his interrogation and abuse while he was detained in Pakistan. He also states that he was told by an Australian representative in Egypt that his interrogation would be conducted according to a set plan.

What did Mamdu Habib confess to during his torture?

Under torture, Habib confessed to several things, including training hijackers, involvement with al-Qaeda, and participating in various terrorist activities. However, he later claimed that these confessions were false, made under duress, and were not true representations of his actions.

What is Mamdu Habib's stance on terrorism and Osama bin Laden?

Habib denies supporting terrorism or jihad. He states that his religion does not promote harm to others. Regarding Osama bin Laden, Habib claims that before the September 11 attacks, he thought of bin Laden as a normal man, but after the attacks, he no longer admired him.

What explanation does Mamdu Habib give for his presence in Afghanistan?

Habib explains that he was in Afghanistan looking for work and for schools for his children, and that he was trying to escape mistreatment in Australia. He denies being involved with al-Qaeda or participating in terrorist activities during his time in Afghanistan.

What does Mamdu Habib say about the claims that he had prior knowledge of the September 11 attacks?

Habib denies having prior knowledge of the September 11 attacks. He explains that any conversations he had regarding a major event were likely related to media reports he learned about after the attacks, not any prior knowledge.

What is the significance of Mamdu Habib's release and how does he feel about it?

Habib was released from Guantanamo Bay in 2005 after being held without charge for over three years. He feels his release is a victory, but he maintains that he is the victim of a significant injustice. He continues to claim that he was wrongfully accused and mistreated, and his return to Australia marked the beginning of a difficult process of reintegration.