|
'New Evidence' Backs Hicks's Torture Claim
10/31/05 "ABC" -- -- Lawyers for Guantanamo Bay detainee
David Hicks say they have uncovered evidence supporting claims that
the South Australian may have been the subject of organised torture
by American troops.
In an interview with ABC TV's Four Corners program, Hicks's father
Terry has detailed allegations of physical and sexual abuse of his
son by American soldiers.
"He said he had a bag over his head and he said, 'Oh look, I know
their accents - they're definitely American' - some pretty horrific
things that were done to him," he said.
David Hicks also told his father he was given injections by the
Americans and then anally penetrated with various objects.
Another detainee says David Hicks told him of being flown by
helicopter off a warship to an undisclosed location where he was
spat on and beaten before being brought back to the ship.
Former detainee Martin Munbanga says he spoke to Hicks about the
allegations.
"He was basically taken ... by helicopter, to a place. They [were]
blindfolded and there they [were] beaten and spat upon and he
[Hicks] was abused and assaulted," he said.
Terry Hicks believes his son was flown to a location where United
Nations conventions regarding the treatment of prisoners would not
apply.
Lawyers for Hicks say they have found some evidence that the
helicopter flight did take place.
They claim it is highly unlikely a detainee would have been moved
without official authorisation.
David Hicks, originally from Adelaide, has been held at Guantanamo
Bay since 2002.
The 30-year-old convert to Islam was captured in Afghanistan where
he allegedly fought alongside the ruling Taliban against US-led
forces who invaded after the terrorist attacks on the United States
on September 11, 2001.
He faces charges of conspiracy to commit war crimes, attempted
murder by an unprivileged belligerent and aiding the enemy.
Copyright ABC Australia
Translate
this page
(In accordance with Title 17
U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to
those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the
included information for research and educational purposes.
Information Clearing House has no affiliation whatsoever with the
originator of this article nor is Information Clearing House
endorsed or sponsored by the originator.) |
