Detainee 063

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

December 3

0000

Detainee used latrine and went to bed.

0400

Lead woke detainee up and sent him to the bathroom. Detainee was exercised.

0425

Lead began session with circumstantial evidence theme and “you are a failure” approach.

0615

Detainee drank water and was sent to the bathroom and exercised.

0630

Control began session on circumstantial evidence theme with “you have no control” approach. Detainee was attentive but unresponsive.

0800

Detainee taken to bathroom. Refused meal stating that he is fasting.

0830

Lead and control started “tell the truth” approach using circumstantial evidence theme.

0930

Interrogators gave class to new MPs in view of detainee stating the resistance training, clouded thinking, series of mistakes, and attempts to gain control that the detainee has exhibited. Interrogators ran puppet show satirizing the detainee’s involvement with Al Qaida.

1040

Detainee was given a nap.

1100

Detainee awakened, taken to the bathroom, and exercised 10 minutes.

1120

2nd shift interrogation team entered booth, ENS C, (Lead), IS1 E (Control) and a female DOD linguist. Discussion was aimed at calming detainee down as he was upset. Detainee was mostly unresponsive.

1210

Detainee given head break and 10 minutes exercise.

1225

Detainee was offered water and refused. He was refused “Salat.”

1235

Detainee offered lunch and refused.

1330

Detainee given head break and 10 minute exercise.

1440

Detainee given head break and 10 minute exercise.

1550

Detainee given head break and 10 minute exercise.

1600

Detainee placed down for nap.

1900

Detainee asked for bathroom break, granted.

2000

Phase 1B begins. Detainee awakened and told he is being taken back to Cuba, hooded, and loaded into ambulance. Ambulance drove a few feet and detainee was taken out and into a different interrogation booth. ENS S lead interrogator with a female DOD linguist. ENS S was in civilian clothes and ran an approach to plant seeds in the detainee’s mind on how to end the interrogations. The approach centered around how Al Qaida had destroyed Islam and the detainee’s life had been spared because it was now his jihad to tell the world about how 9-11 was wrong, and help rebuild Islam.

2040

Detainee hooded and taken to new primary interrogation booth that was decorated with photos of 9-11 victims, the U.S. flag, flags of coalition forces in the global war on terrorism, and red lighting. Detainee was subject to loud music for 20 minutes.

2100

Hood was removed and U.S. National Anthem was played. CAPT W was lead interrogator with the same female DOD linguist.

2105

Detainee’s head and beard were shaved with electric clippers. Detainee started resistance when beard was shaved and MPs had to restrain. Shaving was halted until detainee was once more compliant. LTC P supervised shaving. No problems occurred. Photos were taken of detainee when the shaving was finished.

2130

CAPT W began bad muslim theme. Detainee said CAPT W was oppressed.

2330

Corpsman checked detainee’s vitals – O.K.

2345

Detainee hooded and walked for 10 minutes.