Detainee 063

This is the interrogation log of Mohammed al-Qahtani. It was published in real time: each entry appearing exactly eight years after it was first recorded. It has run for the last two years. The interrogation took place at Guantanamo Bay.

December 20

0001

Detainee listened to white noise while interrogators added photos of fitness models to a binder. Once completed, the interrogators began showing the photos and asking the detainee detailed questions about the photos. Detainee initially was non-compliant, but started answering questions without looking at photos. Some water was sprinkled on the detainee’s head and he began to look at the photos. Upon completion of this lesson the detainee drank a cup of coffee.

0200

Detainee taken to bathroom and walked. Detainee was searched upon return to booth. Offered food and water – refused.

0300

Detainee offered water – refused. Detainee states in English he is on strike from food and water. Detainee taken to bathroom and walked. Detainee was questioned about how he received his visa to the U.S. Detainee stated that he went to the Alia office, a privately owned visa and passport office, on 60th street in Rhyadh. The owner of the office, name unknown, was Saudi. The worker, which detainee talked to, was a Sudanese man named K. Lead asked detainee what kind of visa did he receive. Detainee said he asked for a tourist visa. When lead asked why he wanted a tourist visa, if he was going to the U.S. on business, detainee said, “why do you keep saying I’m going on business? I went as a tourist.” When lead questioned the car story, detainee said, “I was going for the cars, but I didn’t have a Saudi license to sell them. I asked for a tourist visa, so I wouldn’t have to explain my business. I told the agent at the airport about tourism to avoid getting my associates to get in trouble because of me.”

0430

Detainee taken to bathroom and walked. Offered water – refused.

0500

Detainee was confronted with Islam’s view of terrorism and al Qaida. Interrogators presented quotes from sheiks and scholars from around the world. Detainee was allowed to share his opinion and became comfortable with session. Detainee asked to pray. Interrogators told him he could pray after he wrote down the location and point of contact for where he got his visa. Detainee complied and was taken to another interrogation booth where a bin Laden shrine was constructed. Detainee was told he could now pray to his god – UBL. Detainee was apprehensive and started to walk out of booth. Detainee was not allowed to leave and interrogator played the call to prayer. Detainee began to pray and openly cried.

0645

Detainee taken to bathroom and walked 10 minutes.

0650

Corpsman checked detainee’s vitals – O.K. Detainee was taken to X-Ray cell and put to bed.

1100

Detainee awakened, taken to bathroom and walked in the interrogation booth due to rain. Corpsman checked vitals – O.K.

1115

Detainee offered water – refused. Corpsman changed ankle bandages to prevent chafing. Interrogator began by reminding the detainee about the lessons in respect and how the detainee had disrespected the interrogators. Told detainee that a dog is held in higher esteem because dogs know right from wrong and know to protect innocent people from bad people. Began teaching the detainee lessons such as stay, come, and bark to elevate his social status up to that of a dog. Detainee became very agitated.

1230

Detainee taken to bathroom and walked 30 minutes.

1300

Detainee offered food and water – refused. Dog tricks continued and detainee stated he should be treated like a man. Detainee was told he would have to learn who to defend and who to attack. Interrogator showed photos of 9-11 victims and told detainee he should bark happy for these people. Interrogator also showed photos of Al Qaida terrorists and told detainee he should growl at these people. A towel was placed on the detainee’s head like a burka with his face exposed and the interrogator proceeded to give the detainee dance lessons. The detainee became agitated and tried to kick an MP. No retaliation was used for the kick and the dance lesson continued.

1400

Detainee taken to bathroom and exercised 30 minutes in booth. Detainee was asked about his trip to Orlando, who trained him, and who sent him several times but refused to answer.

1510

Detainee offered water – refused. The interrogator then began reducing stress by engaging detainee in conversation. Detainee was asked what he could do to return to the good graces of the interrogator. Detainee apologized and interrogator told him it had to be a specific apology. Detainee apologized for lying when he was told not to.

1600

Detainee taken to bathroom. Corpsman checked vitals – O.K. Conversation continued about topics such as music, dancing, history of the Koran, history of the Bible, and Arabian history. Detainee was ignorant of historical events outside of the geographic region of the Arabian Peninsula. Detainee gave names of Islamic scholars that said music was forbidden and the interrogator agreed to review their claims. Interrogator asked detainee about his travel to Europe. Detainee initially did not want to talk about the trip. Interrogator asked if it was because it was Al Qaida related. Detainee responded that it was not Al Qaida related. Detainee said that his only time in Europe was in the airport in London during his trip to Orlando.

1700

Detainee taken to bathroom.

1715

Detainee allowed to take a nap for one hour.

1830

Detainee was awaken from his nap. His vital signs were checked by the medical representative. His blood pressure (100/58) and pulse rate (62) were normal.

1930

Detainee was taken to the latrine. He was allowed to exercise. He was given a meal with an extra main meal inside. Detainee was also given a bottle of water. He completed his entire meal and the bottle of water.

2008

The doctor spoke with the detainee. He was given an 800mg motrin for chest pains.

2020

Lt G entered the interrogation booth and gave detainee an even shave. The detainee did not resist.

2030

The detainee was shown the video of UBL making the statement that some of the hijackers did not know what their missions were until they were on the plane. Detainee did not show any emotion toward the video.

2145

Detainee was taken to the latrine and exercised. His vitals were taken again. His blood pressure was normal but his pulse rate was high at 93. The medical representative will be monitoring the detainee’s vitals closely until his pulse rate is lower.

2200

The detainee was stripped searched. Initially he was attempting to resist the guards. After approximately five minutes of nudity the detainee ceased to resist. He would only stare at the wall with GREAT focus. His eyes were squinted and stuck on one point on the wall directly in front of him. He later stated that he knew there was nothing he could do with so many guards around him, so why should he resist. He stated that he did not like the females viewing his naked body while being searched and if felt he could have done something about it then he would have.

2331

Detainee’s vital signs were taken again by the medical representative. All of his vital signs were normal. His blood pressure was 96/43 and his pulse rate was 61. He was taken to the latrine and exercised for approximately 10 minutes.