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.
Head break and 10 minute walk. Lead enter the booth and told detainee to pick a topic to talk about. Detainee asked lead to pick a topic and control said they would talk about the detainee’s trip from Mazar E Sharif to Kandahar and how he must have gone through Kabul. Detainee denied he was Kabul even though other detainees identified him as being at a safe house there.
Detainee given cup of coffee. Detainee was told that he would not be respected as long as he refused to tell the truth, and that he would not go home or to Cuba until he told the truth. Detainee interrupted control during a fear up – p/e down approach so control poured a bottle of water over detainee’s head. Lead entered booth alone and talked to detainee about horse riding and the detainee stated it was a religious duty to learn to ride a horse. Lead asked if the Koran said this and detainee stated a Hadith stated this, that a man should teach his sons how to ride a horse and use a sword. Lead stated that the verse really meant a father should teach his children everything they need to know in order to survive, and should not be taken literally.
Awakened, head break and 10 minute walk. Lead resumed conversation on horse riding verse and detainee agreed that it probably meant a father should teach his children the necessities of life. Lead steered conversation to topic of how UBL could convince 19 people to kill themselves and other innocents. Detainee was evasive on topic.
Head break and 10 minute walk. Topic was changed to detainee’s current situation and the futility of continued resistance. Lead asked detainee what he was thinking and he replied “I have a very difficult decision”.
Taken to cell in x-ray for sleep, given MRE.
Detainee had thrown MRE out of cell, it was returned to him by control, detainee ate this and drank 1 bottle of water.
DETAINEE WAS GIVEN 12 HOURS IN HIS SLEEP CELL. MPs gave the detainee two MREs and water during the rest period.
Detainee was escorted from cell. Detainee was exercised and given the chance to go to the restroom. Detainee was placed in interrogation booth.
2A0780 and control entered booth, 2A0780 asked detainee how he was feeling, detainee responded he was well. Detainee looked well rested. Detainee was given a MRE, detainee looked at it as if he was going to decline it, so 2A0780 took MRE away, detainee quickly changed his mind and took the MRE and an apple. Detainee also drank a bottle of water.
2A0780 and control started talking to detainee about trivial things, how he was feeling how things were going. 2A0780 drew a diagram on the white board of a bridge over a pit of fire, the bridge had little razors on it. Detainee was told that this was the “Sirat” or a diagram of “judgment day” detainee was told on judgment day everyone will be sorted out by beliefs. Control asked detainee what are some of your greatest sins, what do you feel sorry about, detainee stated not taking care of his parents, not finishing school, and not repaying his aunt. (detainee borrowed $20,000 from his aunt) . 2A0780 told detainee that he was only looking out for detainee. This was all done to lead detainee in to the next line of questions.
Detainee was exercised and taken to the bathroom. He drank water.
Detainee returned to booth and related the following regarding his travel to Pakistan and people he contacted (refer to MFR):
1. M
2. A
Detainee was exercised and taken to the bathroom.
Detainee returned to the booth. 2A0780 entered the booth a began talking to detainee about what the Quran says about justice for orphans. 2A0780 ask detainee what made 19 young Saudi Arabian men want to kill themselves, detainee stated he was unsure, but maybe they were tricked. 2A0780 asked how could one man, Bin Laden, convince 19 young men to kill themselves, (detainee was starting to fade he was going in and out of sleep.) The question was repeated, detainee stated that they were tricked, that he distorted the picture if front of them, 2A0780 asked detainee if this made him mad, detainee stated yes, (detainee did not realize that 2A780 had now started putting detainee into the picture) 2A0780 asked detainee if he was mad that his friends had been tricked, detainee stated yes. 2A0780 asked detainee if his friends knew about the plan, detainee stated no, 2A0780 asked if detainee knew about the plan, detainee stated no, 2A0780 asked detainee if anyone knew about the plan, detainee stated yes. 2A0780 asked detainee if Mohammed Atta knew about the plan, detainee stated that he didn’t know. 2A0780 asked detainee if it made him mad that he killed his friends, detainee stated yes. 2A0780 asked detainee if he was glad that he didn’t die on the plane, detainee stated yes. 2A0780 asked detainee if his parents were happy that he didn’t die detainee stated yes. 2A0780 stated “he killed your friends” detainee stated yes. 2A0780 asked detainee if his parents were happy that he wasn’t on the plane, detainee stated yes. 2A0780 asked did you call your parents after you didn’t get on the plane, detainee stated no. 2A0780 asked detainee you knew getting on the plane was wrong, detainee stated yes, 2A0780 then asked but you still wanted to fight, detainee stated yes. Detainee was having difficulty staying awake at this time. Detainee was becoming non responsive.
Medics evaluated detainee and gave detainee IV.
2nd Shift interrogation team entered booth. IS1 E, SGT R and a DOD linguist. Detainee was receiving his 3 bags of IV. Interrogators offered detainee coffee and detainee refused. Interrogators told detainee that since he was being disrespectful, he would not be treated nicely this session. Detainee was shown the Bin Laden shrine and told that he could only pray to Bin Laden. Detainee was subject to loud music and yelling.
Detainee offered and accepted 1 bottle of water.
Detainee taken to head and given 30 minutes exercise. Detainee began yelling in rage but interrogators yelled louder to shut him up.
Detainee given head break and 10 minutes exercise. Detainee was told that he could not use the words “car” or “falcon” and was then asked questions about his cover story.
Head break and 10 minutes exercise. Detainee taken to sleep cell.
MRE and bottle of water given to detainee in sleep cell.
PSYOP TO REMOVE CONFEDERATE COMMENCES
Amublance arrives and confederate detainee is told that the information he gave last night checked out, so the interrogators will keep their promise to send him to a better place to be with his cousins. A linguist was used to interpret to the detainee could overhead and understand the exchange. The confederate was shackled at the ankles and allowed to carry the fruit and Koran with him. As the confederate entered the ambulance, he shouted to the detainee “God guide and direct you” in Arabic. The detainee shouted a reply that was not loud enough to hear, but the tone of voice indicated that it was a similar response.
Detainee taken to bathroom and walked 10 minutes.
Detainee instructed to clean the interrogation booth. Interrogator asked detainee how he felt. Detainee stated he was tired and had a bad night so he didn’t sleep well. Detainee offered water – declined.
Interrogator discussed the razor bridge over hell, recovering the topic from the previous day. Interrogator covered major sins and virtues of Islam.
Detainee taken to bathroom and walked 10 minutes. Interrogator took the big brother approach and explained how he was trying to help the detainee. Detainee offered water and drank. Interrogator asked detainee about his joint account with his oldest brother. Interrogator exploited details about the detainee’s construction company.
Detainee subject to music. Interrogator reminded detainee that failure to provide details when answering would make him look like a liar.
Detainee taken to bathroom and walked 10 minutes. Detainee drank a half bottle of water. Detainee was subject to music.
Interrogator started big brother approach and reminded that he had done better the previous day and did not need to slip backwards. Interrogator asked what the detainee missed and the detainee stated that he missed his freedom.
Detainee was taken to bathroom and walked 10 minutes.
Lt G enter the booth for one hour and talked to detainee about the way to heaven in Christianity and Islam, and how they differed slightly, but ended up the same at the end. LT told detainee that the detainee had to help LT to help him (detainee). Detainee said he would tell the truth and let LT know if he had any information. LT asked the detainee about Al Qaida, detainee responded with general comments and stated that he was not a member of Al Qaida, and he knew only things that everyone else would know.
Detainee taken to bathroom and walked 10 minutes. Detainee was reintroduced to the rules from the previous day and was tested to see if he maintained compliance. Detainee was questioned about his trip from Mazar E Sharif to Kandahar with the use of a map. Detainee had previously denied ever being in Kabul but it was pointed out that he must have gone through Kabul to get to Kandahar. Detainee said that he had been through Kabul and apologized to interrogator. Interrogator awarded the detainee a respect point.
Head break and 10 minute exercise.
Medical check. Subj. appeared dehydrated, detainee drank 33 oz bottle of water. Interrogator began calming detainee by talking to him civilly, and started pointing out the resistance techniques the detainee was using as described in the Manchester Document.
Awakened, given a head break and walked 10 minutes. Interrogator told detainee that it was not in his interest to deny involvement in AQ because there was already enough evidence against him to convict him. Interrogator gave several scenarios why the detainee would deny AQ involvement, and the detainee brought up the possibility that he was innocent, which drew a berating from the interrogator. Interrogator asked if he was afraid his family would be endangered – No; was he not being honest because he was still loyal to Bin Laden – No; was he not being honest because he thought it would be a sin – the detainee did not reply but furrowed his brow. Interrogator asked the question again and the detainee would only stare at the interrogator.
Head break and 10 minutes walk.
Offered water and MRE, refused.
Head break and 10 minutes walk.
Head break and 10 minutes walk. Interrogators began discussion on death and judgement. Detainee was asked if he was afraid of death – “No, death can be a great comfort”; asked if he feared the final judgement – “Yes”. Interrogators asked if he would have gone to Orlando if he had known the mission. Detainee replied “No”.
Taken to cell at x-ray and offered MRE and water – refused. Interrogators poured the bottle of water of over his head and took his food away.
Detainee was escorted from cell. Detainee was exercised and given the chance to go to the restroom. Detainee was placed in interrogation booth and instructed to clean room. Detainee cleaned room and then ate 1 MRE and drank 1 bottle of water.
Detainees vitals were taken by corpsman. Corpsman related that detainee needed to drink water. Detainee was then given 2 bottles of water which he needed to complete prior to the shift ending. 2a0780 and 2a0761 entered booth and began to exploit detainees travel to Kandahar, Afghanistan. Refer to MFR for details.
Detainee stated that while in Kandahar he only called the following:
1. His older brother I
2. M
3. A
4. His parent’s home in Riyadh
5. Z (he did not disclose this information at this time but would later be forced to disclose it when he contradicted himself.)
While in Kandahar A introduced detainee to the following three people: (per detainee these are the only people he made contact with while in Kandahar)
1. S
2. Unknown name- works at Al Nuzha supermarket in the main market center. Detainee met with this person on 5 occasions while in Kandahar.
3. Unknown name- this person lives on a street near the airport. Detainee met with this person on at least 2 occasions.
Detainee also related that he visited a place near Kandahar where people from the gulf states would meet to hunt for falcons (contradiction as to wanting to meet other arabs). Detainee stated that he attended 3 meetings, but when he was asked who was present at these meeting detainee stated that he would show up and no one was there. When asked how he knew about this meeting location of gulf state personnel he stated that Z from UAE had told him about this meeting place and he should go there when in Kandahar.
Detainee was exercised and taken to the bathroom.
Detainee returned to the booth and was questioned further on the meeting place he had mentioned.
Detainee was exercised and taken to the bathroom. Detainee drank _ bottle of water.
Detainee returned to booth and exposed to white noise. Interrogator covered how greedy and selfish the detainee was and talked about how the detainee had stated the he was more important that God or his family.
Detainee taken to bathroom and walked 10 minutes. Interrogator discussed the theme of justice with detainee. Lights in the interrogation booth were turned off and candles were lit to provide subdued lighting, and relaxation/meditation music was played. Detainee became uncomfortable and asked for music to be turned off.
Detainee taken to bathroom and walked 30 minutes.
Detainee shown graphic victim photos. Detainee cried while viewing photos. Photos were spotlighted with a flashlight in subdued lighting while relaxation/meditation music was played.
Interrogator returned and explained purpose of photos.
Detainee given head break and 10 minute walk.
Interrogation team entered booth, IS1 E , SGT R and a DOD linguist. Interrogators berated detainee for refusing food on previous day. Control covered the “rules for the day” approach. Control questioned detainee about why he had a German visa. Detainee stated he had never been to Germany. Interrogator told detainee that was not the question, and detainee stated that he didn’t get a German visa, he got a European visa. Detainee stated that he wanted a US visa but got a European visa by mistake. Detainee became evasive about details of the transaction.
Head break and 10 minute walk. Lead told detainee to pick a topic for discussion. Detainee first wanted to talk about what he would do if he got out, then retracted and said he wanted to talk about Christianity. Interrogators berated detainee for making the retraction. Detainee then told interrogators he would like to get a job and have a wife. Interrogators helped detainee plan his life by drawing a pathway on the board with a split, and told him that he was at the split now, and must be truthful or he would never be able to go down the path he wanted.
Head break and 10 minute walk. Interrogators changed topic to Arabic history. Detainee exhibited ignorance of many significant Arabic events.
drank 1 cup of coffee. Topic was changed to religious history. Detainee stated that half the detainees including himself did not become religious until they reached Cuba. Interrogators noted to detainee that religion did not seem to be what encouraged people to join AQ.
Head break and 10 minute walk. Interrogators related that power and money might be motivators for people to join AQ. Interrogators asked detainee what his motivation was for joining AQ. Detainee did not answer and interrogator asked if it was too private a matter to discuss. Detainee answered “yes”.
1 MRE and 1 Bottle of water.
Detainee awakened, given head break and 10 minute walk. Interrogator covered some Arabian history and pointed out similarities between the US constitution and the Koran. Interrogator began circumstantial evidence theme with levels of guilt. Detainee was asked how he felt about the evidence against him and he responded that he thinks about it a lot and tries to diffuse some things against him and disprove others. A timeline was created for the detainee showing his events leading up to Orlando. Detainee was visibly affected by this approach and appeared to be near the point of crying.
Head break, taken to x-ray to sleep and given 1 bottle of water.
Detainee awakened, exercised, taken to bathroom and taken to booth. White noise in background
2a0761 and 2a0780 entered the booth and instructed detainee to clean room. Detainee cleaned room and drank water. 2a0780 then asked detainee about people that he had previously mentioned. M, A, A. 2a0780 had detainee describe these persons. Detainee stated that they were not religious. Detainee stated that he was not religious at the time and only became religious once he was detained.
Detainee was exercised and taken to the bathroom. Detainee drank 8 ounces of water.
Detainee was returned to booth. 2a0761 entered booth and began to question detainee about his travel from Kandahar, AF to Khost, AF. Detainee provided the following information and people he came in contact with (refer to mfr for details)
1. A- Detainee described him …
Detainee was exercised and taken to the bathroom. He was returned to the booth and exposed to white noise.
Detainee was exercised and taken to the bathroom. Detainee was returned to booth where he drank 8 ounces of water.
2a0761 and 2a0780 entered the booth and covered detainee’s timeline from Orlando, Florida, USA to Khost, Pakistan. Detainee was told that the information he has provided is inaccurate since it does not coincide with the war in Afghanistan. He fails to mention any combat in the area at the time he was there or seeing military forces.
Detainee was exercised and taken to the bathroom. Detainee returned to booth and subjected to white noise.
Corpsman checked detainees vitals which were within normal range.
Detainee exercised and taken to the bathroom.
2a0761 entered the booth and continued to questions detainee about his stay in Kandahar. He provided the following details: (refer to MFR).
Detainee was berated for not mentioning details about his passport/visa and money when his trip from Kandahar to Khost was covered. Detainee also stated that if his health had improved he intended on returning to Mazar-e-Sharif to meet with M with the falcons he had acquired. Detainee was berated and told that his story is inconsistent and a lie. 2a0761 then walked out of the room with disgust.
Lt G entered the booth and reinforced that the detainee needed to tell the whole truth and to answer all questions quickly and with detail. LT told detainee that interrogators would ask the same questions several times in order to be complete and thorough. LT also told detainee that he should apologize the next time he saw 2A0761.
Detainee was exercised and taken to the bathroom.
Drank 1 cup of coffee. Interrogators talked to detainee about guilt, leniency, and cultural inhibitions to telling the truth.
Head break, 20 minute exercise. Interrogators began theme that the detainee had no hope of being found innocent, and must begin telling the whole truth to minimize the punishment he would receive. Interrogators feigned anger at detainee and taught detainee the steps to apologize which included admitting what he did, asking forgiveness, and making reparations.
Head break and 10 minute exercise.
Source ate a cracker and drank a bottle of water he refused the rest of the MRE complaining of an upset stomach. Interrogators asked detainee if he thought he would be found innocent if he went to trial and the detainee stated “yes”. Interrogators explained to detainee that his only hope should be to cooperate so he could get leniency.
Head break and 20 minute exercise. Interrogator continued with leniency theme. Interrogator then left booth so linguist could speak to detainee alone. Linguist recommended the detainee should tell the truth and detainee replied that he couldn’t. Detainee asked linguist “what will they do to me?”. Linguist replied that 3000 people had been killed and we would not stop until we got the truth.
Head break and 10 minute exercise. Interrogator started futility approach telling the detainee that his hope of being believed was false.
Head break and taken to bed.
Detainee taken to bathroom, walked and offered food – refused.
Interrogator instructed detainee to clean the interrogation booth. Detainee drank water.
2A780 told detainee he is guilty, and the question is how guilty is he and how much leniency can he get.
Interrogator exploits detainee‘s travel prior to going to Orlando.
Detainee taken to bathroom and exercised.
Detainee offered food – ate one MRE. White noise played in background.
Corpsman checked vitals – O.K.
Interrogator exploits detainee’s work history.
Detainee taken to bathroom and walked. Interrogator reminded detainee that it was important to give every detail when giving information because the questions would have to start all over again if he left anything out. Interrogator used love of family approach and asked detainee how his parents would feel if one of his brothers became a suicide bomber and died. Interrogator further said that if the detainee gave the name of the AQ recruiter in Saudi, we could stop this person before he had a chance to talk to the detainee’s brother. Detainee appeared to think deeply about this topic.
Corpsman checked detainee’s vitals – O.K.
Detainee listened to music for remainder of session.
Head break and 10 minute exercise.
Interrogation team entered the booth, IS1 E and a DOD linguist.
Source drank 1 bottle of water. Interrogator told detainee that by lying, he was making his situation worse. IS-1 told detainee that if the cover story was used in a trial, the prosecutor would tear it apart.
Head Break and 10 minute exercise. Topic changed to global issues to discredit UBL and identify the US point of view.
Head Break and 10 minute exercise.
Head break and 10 minute exercise. SGT began a discussion of the Palestinian/Israeli conflict.
Head break and 15 minute exercise. SGT began futility approach using circumstantial evidence.
Head break and 30 minute exercise. Detainee drank _ bottle of water. Corpsman checked vitals – O.K. Circumstantial evidence and futility continued. Detainee’s body language seems to indicate he is becoming more worried about this subject.
Detainee taken to sleep cell.
Detainee awakened, given shower and fresh clothes, taken to bathroom and exercised.
Detainee taken to interrogation booth and drank water.
Corpsman checked vitals – O.K.
Interrogators instruct detainee to drink water and be respectful. Interrogators began questioning detainee about work history prior to the Orlando trip.
Detainee taken to bathroom and exercised. Detainee drank water. Questioning continued.
Detainee taken to bathroom and exercised.
Corpsman checked vitals – O.K. Questioning continued
Detainee taken to bathroom and exercised.
Detainee ate one MRE and drank a bottle of water.
Detainee taken to bathroom and exercised; drank water. Detainee subject to white noise the remainder of the shift.
Detainee taken to bathroom and exercised.
Head break and 10 minute exercise.
Interrogation team entered booth, IS1 E , SGT R and a DOD linguist.
Source drank 1 cup coffee.
Medical check ok. Interrogators talked to detainee about the Saudi royal family and how they had not taken care of the Saudi people. Interrogators then gave detainee an American Government class where they explained the three branches of government and how it all worked. Interrogators explained how both AQ and the Saudi government blamed the US for all their problems, while the truth was that these organizations were the cause of the problems. Interrogators explained how both the US and Saudi had been under control of the British prior to independence. Interrogators explained how the US is obligated to protect its people in interests abroad.
Head break and 10 minute exercise.
Source drank 1 cup coffee. Interrogators explained to detainee that he was so ignorant of the world that he could not distinguish between truth and lies when someone told him something. Interrogators told detainee that he needed to improved his education about world history and sociology so that he would know when someone lied to him. Interrogators pointed out that AQ had used people like him and tricked them by lying to them.
Medic gave source Tylenol and 1 cup water. Interrogators asked detainee what his reason for not telling the whole truth was. Interrogators asked if he thought it would be a sin if he did, he replied “no”; asked if he still had allegiance to AQ, he replied “no”, asked if he thought it was the best course of action for him, he replied “yes”.
Awakened, head break and 10 minute exercise.
Offered food and water, refused. Interrogators resumed discussion about his holding out on telling the truth. Interrogators reiterated that the case against the detainee was strong and he had no hope of being found innocent. Detainee was asked what was wanted of him, he replied “If I help you, you will help me”. Detainee appeared to begin to understand his situation and become distressed.
Head break and 10 minute exercise. Interrogators continued futility approach.
Head break and taken to x-ray for rest period.
Detainee awoke on his own and urinated through the wire of his cell. When asked why he did this and did not request to go to the bathroom, detainee replied that he woke up and could not hold it and had to go immediately.
Detainee woken up and exercised/ taken to the bathroom and moved to booth.
2a0780 entered booth and used an emotional futility p/e down approach on source.
detainee exercised and taken to the bathroom. Drank water
2a0761 and 2a0780 entered the booth and continued to exploit detainees work history.
detainee exercised and taken to the bathroom
2a0761 and 2a0780 continued to exploit detainees work history.
detainee exercised and taken to the bathroom. Drank water.
2a0761 and 2a0780 continued to exploit sources work history and began to exploit sources car selling business associates.
detainee exercised and taken to the bathroom. Drank water
2a0780 entered booth and went over maps of sources home, Al Kharj, SA.
Detainee ate 1 MRE and drank water.
Detainee exercised and taken to the bathroom.
Log reviewed to this point by JTF/SJA DMC 7 Jan 02
Interrogation team entered booth, IS1 E , SGT M and a DOD Linguist. Futility approach was run as it was determined that the detainee was holding on to a hope that he would be found innocent. Interrogators explained that this was a false hope.
Head break and 10 minute exercise.
Medical check by corpsman, OK. Interrogator began questioning detainee about his time in AF.
Head break and 10 minute exercise. Detainee drank one bottle of water.
Head break and 10 minute exercise.
Source ate 1 MRE and drank 1 bottle of water. Interrogator resumed the futility approach and centered around why the detainee still refuses to tell the truth.
Head break and 10 minute exercise. Interrogator began talking about other topics such as the true definition of martyr, and Islamic beliefs. Detainee asked interrogator to tell him about hunting, and interrogator turned the topic back to futility.
Head break and taken for sleep period.
Detainee moved from cell to booth. He is exercised and taken to the bathroom.
2a0780 enters booth and begins questioning on family history.
Detainee was exercised and taken to the bathroom. Source drank water.
2a0761 and 2a0780 entered booth and began to exploit sources car business contacts.
Detaineee was exercised and taken to the bathroom
Detainee was exercised and taken to the bathroom. Drank water.
Detainee ate hot food instead of MRE.
2a0780 exploited detainees family tree and car business associates who traveled to the US
Detainee was exercised and taken to the bathroom. Vitals checked by corpsman and within normal limits.
Detainee woken from nap, exercised, and taken to latrine.
Interrogation began with questioning on the Arabs that where detained with the source.
Detainee taken to latrine and exercised.
Detainee ate one MRE and drank a bottle of water.
Detainee taken to latrine and exercised.
Detainee stated that he was not stupid and answered that he was educated when questioned if he was a doctor, lawyer, or engineer, he said yes to being an engineer.
Detainee taken to the latrine and exercised.
Detainee was seen by the medic everything ok.
Sgt questioned the source on his income and why he did not provide his family any financial help.
Detainee was taken to the latrine and exercised.
SGT ran futility approach life is hopeless. SGT asked the source to visualize his future source said he could then said your right at this point there is no hope, SGT commented that the only thing to do at this time is just confess and help him self, that he is only 30 years old and who knows maybe one day he might even be freed, SGT explained confessed al qaeda members know this and that is why there talking and not to screw him self out of an opportunity to may help his life because there is going to come a time when nothing is going to matter. SGT told the detainee it was time to go to sleep and to think about it, source was very thankful and said that he would consider it since his life right now has no value.
Interrogation ended and detainee was put to bed.
Detainee awakened, taken to bathroom, exercised, and taken to interrogation booth.
A0780 entered the booth and started small talk with detainee. Detainee stated he wanted to fast during the day, and this wish was respected.
A0761 entered the booth and began exploiting shipping companies used by dealerships in SA. Exploitation continued for entire shift.
Detainee taken to bathroom and exercised.
Detainee taken to bathroom and exercised.
Detainee taken to bathroom and exercised.
Detainee taken to bathroom and exercised. Detainee drank 16 oz water
Head break and 10 min exercise.
Medical check. Interrogators reviewed topics of the previous few days. Futility was reinforced and interrogators stated there must be only two reasons for the detainee’s continued resistance; either the detainee did not believe the interrogator, or the detainee was protecting terrorists still at large. Interrogator likened the detainee’s story to swiss cheese, with holes surrounding information concerning terrorists.
Head break and 10 min exercise. Interrogators allowed detainee to choose topic for discussion. Detainee asked if the interrogator liked to cook and clean because he (detainee) was a single man and liked to cook.
Head break and 10 min exercise. Futility approach was run and detainee said that he knew nothing about terrorists, but would be willing to go back to the Gulf states and infiltrate terrorist organizations for us to help us out. Futility continued to be run for the remainder of the night.
10 oz water and 1 cup of coffee.
Head break and 10 min exercise.
Head break and 10 min exercise.
Head break and 10 min exercise.
Transferred to x-ray for sleep period.
Woken up/ exercised/ taken to the bathroom and transferred to the booth. Detainee offered food – refused. Interrogators questioned detainee about his work history with emphasis on automotive contacts and meeting places for the entire shift.
Exercised and taken to the bathroom.
Medical check, medic stated source needed to drink water. Source was told to drink water, source complied.
Exercised and taken to bathroom. Source drank water.
Source was asked if he needed a bathroom break, no.
Source exercised and taken to bathroom. Source drank water.
Source was given MRE with extra food inside.
Source exercised and taken to bathroom.
Source was allowed to sit in booth and rest.
Reviewed to this point by SJA, JTF GTMO, 10 January 2003, 1840 hours.
Head break and 10 minute exercise.
Interrogation team entered the booth, IS1 E and a DOD linguist. Interrogator covered previous night’s topic of hopelessness unless the detainee cooperates fully so he can receive leniency. Detainee stated that the session this night was quieter and he liked that, and that he didn’t like to talk about his case because the conversation would become harsh. Interrogator told detainee that conversations became harsh because the detainee lies. Detainee tried to deflect conversation when it turned to Al Qaida.
Head break and 10 minute exercise. Interrogator allowed detainee to choose a topic to talk about. Detainee wanted to talk about dinosaurs. Interrogator gave history of dinosaurs and talked about the meteor that wiped them out, and equated this event with nuclear war. Detainee expresses great ignorance about dinosaurs and space, topics that are taught in U.S. grade schools. Detainee asked interrogator if the sun revolved around the earth.
Head break and 10 minute exercise.
Source ate 1 MRE and drank 1 bottle of water.
Source received haircut. Detainee did not resist until the beard was cut. Detainee stated he would talk about anything if his beard was left alone. Interrogator asked detainee if he would be honest about himself. Detainee replied “if God wills”. Beard was shaven. Detainee stated he was on strike from interrogation on all teams. A little water was poured over the detainee’s head to reinforce control and wash the hair off. Interrogator continued futility approach. Detainee began to cry when talking.
Head break and 10 minute walk.
Head break and 10 minute walk. Interrogator told detainee to choose a topic of discussion. Detainee asked to know about the rituals of Christianity. Interrogator told detainee to talk about the rituals of Islam first.
Taken to x-ray for sleep period.