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Ethiopia - Who is Binyam Mohammed al-Habashi?
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Ethiopia - Who is Binyam Mohammed al-Habashi?
Binyam Mohammed Photo CNN
Who is Binyam Mohammed al-Habashi
Binyam Mohammed al-Habashi, 29, a refugee from Ethiopia who arrived in the UK with his father in 1995, was a janitor at a mosque in west London. Captured in Pakistan in April 2002, he was then handed over to the US authorities, who, in what appears to be one of the most devastatingly inept failures of intelligence in the whole of the “War on Terror,” decided – apparently based on a “confession” extracted under torture by Abu Zubaydah, a “high-value” al-Qaeda suspect, who was had recently been captured – that he was a major al-Qaeda terrorist, who was planning to radioactive “dirty bomb” in a US city.
In a successful attempt to force a confession out of him, al-Habashi was “rendered” to Morocco, whose notoriously brutal interrogators, working on behalf of the Americans, tortured him for 18 months, repeatedly cutting his penis with razor blades, and he was then transferred to the “Dark Prison” in Afghanistan. Scheduled to face a Military Commission (a show trial in which secret evidence is withheld from the accused), his case was dropped in June 2006 after the Supreme Court ruled that the Commissions were illegal, and has not been reinstated.
Source: IndyMedia
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A lawyer for a Guantanamo prisoner has urged U.S. authorities to preserve CIA photos that would prove his client was tortured when the spy agency allegedly sent him to Morocco for questioning about al-Qaida links.
The request is urgent because of the disclosure that the CIA destroyed videotaped interrogations of two suspected terrorists now held at Guantanamo, lawyer Clive Stafford Smith said.
Stafford Smith alleges Binyam Mohamed was abused during 18 months in captivity in Morocco, where he was flown after he was captured in Pakistan in 2002. He was later transferred to a CIA-run prison in Afghanistan and then to the U.S. base in Guantanamo, Cuba.
53 comments
Comment from: Etboy [Visitor]
Hey beni keep fighting for you freedom and bring those who are responsible for your
inergration to justice. God Bless you...
inergration to justice. God Bless you...
12/11/07 @ 11:09
Comment from: merz [Visitor]
I know him and his families too, he is an Eriterian not an Ethiopian , Just as usual Eriterians claim them selves as an Ethiopian when ever they caught .
12/11/07 @ 12:20
Comment from: Girum [Visitor]
If this idiot (Binyam) went to
Pakistan/Afghan to train to hurt
people, he deserves every bit of
punishment and more.
It's fanatic morons like him that
make life difficult for many decent
law abiding folks.
No symphathy for this idiot... in fact,
they should teach other thru this moron
so other coptcats won't try the shit
he tried to pull.
I hope they send him to Meles ! I for
sure don't mind savage Meles punishing
this dude for offending his masters ;-)
12/11/07 @ 12:37
Comment from: Yeha [Visitor]
Mohammed al-Habashi is not from Ethiopia. He is an Eritrean banda who aim was to terrorized innocent people as same as his leader dictator Issaias Ass is doing these days. Eventhough he immegirated to UK with his father,from Ethiopia dosen't make him he is an Ethiopian citizen no way.
As we all know many Eritrean bandas who went through from Ethiopia to the rest of the world and when they have doing something good they claim themseves as an Eritrean heroes. If they made something terrible crime they claim themselves they are from Ethiopia. Sound joke isn't it? that's how they are stupid people.
I don't have no sympathy at all that what the U.S authority have done to him. Forget about cutting his penis or his head. He deserve it.
Yeha
As we all know many Eritrean bandas who went through from Ethiopia to the rest of the world and when they have doing something good they claim themseves as an Eritrean heroes. If they made something terrible crime they claim themselves they are from Ethiopia. Sound joke isn't it? that's how they are stupid people.
I don't have no sympathy at all that what the U.S authority have done to him. Forget about cutting his penis or his head. He deserve it.
Yeha
12/11/07 @ 12:38
Comment from: nuna [Visitor]
Merz,
What has being an Eritrean or Ethiopian origin to do with this story? ecause you know we Ethiopians have our own merz running the country.I think this is a human story, Is this guy a terrorist who was planning to mass kill or is he some one being jailed because of someone's forced confession during unbearable and inhumane torture?
What has being an Eritrean or Ethiopian origin to do with this story? ecause you know we Ethiopians have our own merz running the country.I think this is a human story, Is this guy a terrorist who was planning to mass kill or is he some one being jailed because of someone's forced confession during unbearable and inhumane torture?
12/11/07 @ 13:08
Comment from: Josi [Visitor]
He deserved it. He was trying to take innocent peoples life.
He is not Ethiopian.
He is not Ethiopian.
12/11/07 @ 13:28
Comment from: koster [Visitor]
whether he is an Ethiopian or Eritrean, the injustice is injustice and be fought with all possible means.
12/11/07 @ 13:30
Comment from: geb [Visitor]
Good for him. May be he went to ask the al-Qaeda leader, Osma, for some money.
Whether he is Eth or Eri, God sent him to hell while alive.
Whether he is Eth or Eri, God sent him to hell while alive.
12/11/07 @ 13:52
Comment from: ethiopian man [Visitor]
what was he doing in Pakistan? the saying goes like this, there is no smoke with out fire..these fanatics who don understand humanity start to blame interrogators for abuses of rights. Those extremists work day and night to massacre civillians brutally. lets remember what the ONLF fanatics did in Ogaden, they didnt show any humanity when they cold bloodedly murderen chinese and ethiopian oil workers. Human rights should be applied for human being not murderers who behave like wild animal.
12/11/07 @ 13:56
Comment from: tazabi [Visitor]
Eritrean or Ethiopian,beniam aka " al habeshi" is offcourse
a terriorst, just as his name signifies. Al habeshi meaning a supposed "Habesha freedom fighter".in anycase,it's just like what they say, if you do the crime,you better be prepared to do the time too!!tough luck al habeshi
a terriorst, just as his name signifies. Al habeshi meaning a supposed "Habesha freedom fighter".in anycase,it's just like what they say, if you do the crime,you better be prepared to do the time too!!tough luck al habeshi
12/11/07 @ 14:13
Comment from: aklile [Visitor]
I don’t think his nationality matters at this time, the so called “crime” was committed as an individual, so the relative issue is did he do it or not? Was he an al-Qaeda operative or not ? What was his purpose of going to Pakistan or Afghanistan? If they proved that he was there for military training or for any financial, political or spiritual support then he deserves what he was put through, but if this guy was there just as a tourist then a crime was committed against him, so he should be vindicated and compensated.
12/11/07 @ 14:34
Comment from: Giyorgis [Visitor]
What was he doing in Pakistan? Was he in an training camp for terrorists? Personally I could care less what happens to people caught learning to be better terrorists. They could have kept him locked up for all I care. If he was in Pahistan visiting relatives or finding a job, that different. If he was found among extremists and not being held against hios will...then logically, Guantanamo should be his home indefinitely.
12/11/07 @ 14:47
Comment from: KISSARA [Visitor]
ETHIOPIAN people are going to hell straight up Men, her people are hate mongers tribal’s they are so blinded by ethnic they couldn’t see right from wrong anymore currently I’m working with some Ethiopian people some where around 175 they all couldn’t get along at all they have some kind of group according to them they hate each other badly even though they are from the same country they separate each in groups the groups are Oromo, Amhara & Gurage together, Tigre, Pentecostal, orthodox. It is so sad to see one guy is jailed wrongly all what you care is what tribe he is or more so he must be an Eritrean or somali what a shameful people you guys are become
Shame! Shame! Shame!
Shame! Shame! Shame!
12/11/07 @ 14:58
Comment from: AGAM [Visitor]
This coward like his banda forfathers was abusing the good and beautiful name ethiopia.He is a typical shabia boy defaming the great ethiopia to protect his sing a poor country ertera.Nothing new comes here most erterans had being defaming ethiopian name where ever country they reside morethan 100 years.This coward islamist is following the foot steps of his fathers.He should get life in prison for all his activitis and defaming the ethiopian name.
12/11/07 @ 15:26
Comment from: habtemichael [Visitor]
What is not clear is why he went to Pakistan in the first place.I believe calling himself Alhabeshi can makes him either Ethiopian or Eritrean,We are the same Habesha people originally.In any way this guy deserves justices.
12/11/07 @ 15:53
Comment from: solomon [Visitor]
Kissar we know his family are ertrians but he pass thrgoh ethiopia.that dosent make him ethiopian.cnn or all other reporters they have to do there investgation before reporting this kind of serious alligation.and you kissar dont pretand like you are ethiopian and puting (merze) in ethiopian nation nationalits 
benyam al habish he is a terrorist what the hail is doing in pakistan or afganistan.this guy is dengerus not only for us.allso for the all peace loving people lock him up for life.
benyam al habish he is a terrorist what the hail is doing in pakistan or afganistan.this guy is dengerus not only for us.allso for the all peace loving people lock him up for life.
12/11/07 @ 16:01
Comment from: aka [Visitor]
shutup and get on with your lifes,you dergists. wether you like it or not eprdf is gonna stay for very very long.Don't you have other important things to do rather than criticize my ethiopia.
12/11/07 @ 16:19
Comment from: Teff [Visitor]
The name Binyam Mohamed looks like a fake name. It is not a name of Ethiopian origin. Binyam is a Hebrew name and Mohamed is Arabic. If he claims to be a real Ethiopian tell us his real name.
Real Ethiopians are not terrorists. We are peace loving people who treat others like we want to be treated. Our peaceful existence in Ethiopia despite our religious and ethnic diversity is a testament.
Long live Ethiopiaye
Real Ethiopians are not terrorists. We are peace loving people who treat others like we want to be treated. Our peaceful existence in Ethiopia despite our religious and ethnic diversity is a testament.
Long live Ethiopiaye
12/11/07 @ 17:11
Comment from: Tezebet [Visitor]
Torture is inhuman regardless of one try to justify the torturing. I am against torturing human in any circumstance. It is barbaric act one human committed to another human. At the same time I completely not agree what these Islamic fanatics stand for.
12/11/07 @ 17:13
Comment from: Melaku_T [Visitor]
Nuna and Azeb this is your long lost brother
Another Eritrean Mussolini “dikala” pretending to be Ethiopian so I hope he learn something from the brutal interrogation, he.. he.. not long it will be Azeb’s big “kit” to bring in brutal interrogation you terrorist shabias
Another Eritrean Mussolini “dikala” pretending to be Ethiopian so I hope he learn something from the brutal interrogation, he.. he.. not long it will be Azeb’s big “kit” to bring in brutal interrogation you terrorist shabias
12/11/07 @ 17:14
Comment from: M Zenawi [Visitor]
Ye habesha SHIBRTEGNAEA{terorist) actually he is not the only one terorist what about CUD ,ONLF and OLF?Kikiki.............
12/11/07 @ 17:39
Comment from: sibhat [Visitor]
there is no Eritrean named "Biniam mohamed"he must be "Woleye" kikikiki...Losers!!!
12/11/07 @ 17:46
Comment from: Abyssinia [Visitor]
Just because you travel to Pakistan don't mean you are Alqaeda.
If you travel to Colunbia or Mexico does it make you a cocaine trafficker?
The CIA is indeed a terrorist organization.
"The truth shall set you free!"
If you travel to Colunbia or Mexico does it make you a cocaine trafficker?
The CIA is indeed a terrorist organization.
"The truth shall set you free!"
12/11/07 @ 17:49
Comment from: voiceout [Visitor]
Wasnt there a similar news in 2005 of two habesha guys along with a few other nationalities caught in UK for alleged terror act? One of those guys were reported in the nesws as being from Ethiopia, which i doubt.
This must be a similar case.
This must be a similar case.
12/11/07 @ 17:56
Comment from: elcad [Visitor]
If he is an Eritrean claimed to be Ethiopian, that is where the crime starts. He went to Pakistan not to cultivate the barren land. He was in Pakistan to learn how to assemble bombs then he can blow up innocent people in the name of his so called "Allah". His cause is not mine so why do I care if they turn his body up side down.
12/11/07 @ 18:08
Comment from: Tewodros [Visitor]
kill him pls ! hung him pls! squash him pls! toast him pls! Amen.
12/11/07 @ 18:12
Comment from: dela [Visitor]
KISSARA!
you are the real KISSARA here. you shouldn't bother come to this site!
you are the real KISSARA here. you shouldn't bother come to this site!
12/11/07 @ 18:44
Comment from: Deder [Visitor]
It is obvious that who tererrized are not terrorists but who assume themselves as "anti terrorism". History will reveal that if Meles the tyrant blood addict got a moral ground to fight terrorists if he is not the one. Bush even is not the victim of terrorist attack if he were he would not do all these heous crime to human being which is more than terrorists compared to them. Again history will tellthat deny him any place leave alone to be remembered. Do you know why innocent citizens in Iraq, Somalia, Ogadene in ethiopa suffer all this long? Do they have Nuclear bomb? I think it is just to satisfy his own "club people" not even the American interest. The american interest is not torture, bombing people, desroying development(electicity, water, roads,schools, religious institutions, generally world property). Even the policyof this administration put the country in "post traumatic stress disorder" To me the country still could not adjust to the 911 terrorist attack.
12/11/07 @ 18:47
Comment from: belay zeleke [Visitor]
Whether he is from ethi or eri he desrve to be punshied just for his help fo alqueda
12/11/07 @ 21:50
Comment from: Mahlet [Visitor]
This is 2007 best fiction
author CIA.Bini is an Ethiopian Hero
author CIA.Bini is an Ethiopian Hero
12/11/07 @ 23:54
Comment from: Tekk [Visitor]
Here we go again. He is Ethiopian. What is it with you people. Get over it. Ethiopians act as if they live such a puritanical life. What I don't understand is, why did the U.S. go through all that trouble by sending Binyam to Morocco and Afghanistan when they could have just sent him to Meles's secret jails in Ethiopia. Maybe the U.S. knows Meles's days are numbered and does not want its secrets out in the public
12/11/07 @ 23:56
Comment from: Mammo [Visitor]
Hey Eritrean morons, soon you will be back in the fold of mother Ethiopia. Just thought I'd let you know...
12/12/07 @ 01:45
Comment from: HATE MONGERS [Visitor]
All of u are Hate mongers any way this guy is whether inocent or guilty and that he is an eritrean does not make him an enemy infact u hate him because he is a Muslim anyway his religion is better than urs u guys beleive in TABOT wood he beleive GOD almighty U beleive ST.Georg a british solder he beleive God almighty u are cursed to hell u should now that
12/12/07 @ 02:01
Comment from: Aba Jaffar Aba Gobbu [Visitor]
Mohammed Al Habashi Benjam is a human being what erverso. He is a victim of the Western aggression against the non white people. It does not matter whether is an Ethiopian or not, his humanright shall be respected. All the problems to today in Ethiopia as well as in Eretrea is caused by the West The west appointed the bandas on Ethiopia.
The West created Al Queda and others to fight against socialism and Ethiopia.
Ethiopia is a victim of this program.
Thank You.
AG
The West created Al Queda and others to fight against socialism and Ethiopia.
Ethiopia is a victim of this program.
Thank You.
AG
12/12/07 @ 06:02
Comment from: AddisLig [Visitor]
What the hell was he doing in Pakistan?
If he is Ethiopian/Eritrian, he would
have no relation in that country. The
only reason he is there is to train for
some terrorist actions. After all he is
a convert and may be wanted to show he
is a real muslim by killing lots of
innocent lives. May he rot in Hell.
12/12/07 @ 06:21
Comment from: Daniel [Visitor]
I detest any ethiopian going to Afganistan or pakistan to be trained as a terrorist. The idea of a terrorist doensn't go along with Ethiopian way of thinking. Terrorism should be left for stupid arabs, who think that if they carried out terror on other people, they will go to heaven as martyrs and given 70 virgins to rape. You see how the twisted mentality of the arabs. When on earth they will have 4 women to rape. Some of their rulers used to have hundreds of women at their disposal. I am eagerly waiting for the day when the arabs start to think how to create and maintain civilization, because that will be the day of peace.
12/12/07 @ 08:50
Comment from: one [Visitor]
why are we resorting to violence. ethiopians arent known for being terrorists by the world so this is a shame for us.
12/12/07 @ 09:25
Comment from: ogadenian [Visitor]
Stop talking rubish. What good name of eithiopia? I thought ethiopia used to be called abyssinia until you stole the name of aithiopia from sudan nubians. Read the history.
Anyway my point is this. What about the man calling himself Hussein muhamed and claim to be somali even tho his real name was Hamdi Issac and actually EThiopian from Harar. He tried to bomb london underground on the 21/july 2005. More habashi bombers in western countries than somalis anyway.
Anyway my point is this. What about the man calling himself Hussein muhamed and claim to be somali even tho his real name was Hamdi Issac and actually EThiopian from Harar. He tried to bomb london underground on the 21/july 2005. More habashi bombers in western countries than somalis anyway.
12/12/07 @ 10:28
Comment from: Selam [Visitor]
It doesn't matter where he is from what matters is did he commit the crime? Let us not be quick to judge him. If someone is tortured to that extent he/she can say anything that they want to hear. Like his lawyer said .
” Describing his predicament, Clive Stafford Smith reiterated that there was “no evidence” against his client. “He was taken to Morocco and had a razorblade taken to his penis,” he explained. “Naturally, as any human being would do, he made statements saying whatever they wanted to hear. They [the US authorities] believed that stuff.” He added, “I've seen no evidence in Binyam's case that isn't evidence that was tortured out of him. The bottom line is that we're happy for him to face a fair trial, if that's what everyone wants to do. But the problem we do have is that trying him using torture evidence, using secret evidence, is giving him an unfair trial. The British Government has made it perfectly clear, the military commissions are unfair.”
N.B Someone can not change his/her nationality because of the circumstances that he/she is in. When a report comes out about him/her the document they use is the one he/she submitted when he/she entered the country.
All I read is hate as an Ethiopian that makes me sick. When are we going to learn to love ourselves and each other? I love Ethiopia only is not enough. We have to know that Ethiopia is everyone and everything within the political boundry of Ethiopia.
Last but not least hate will never ever solve our problems. Look around the world and try to learn what the consquences of hate is.
I don't belong to any political party or organization I am writing this as an
Ethiopian.
PEACE
” Describing his predicament, Clive Stafford Smith reiterated that there was “no evidence” against his client. “He was taken to Morocco and had a razorblade taken to his penis,” he explained. “Naturally, as any human being would do, he made statements saying whatever they wanted to hear. They [the US authorities] believed that stuff.” He added, “I've seen no evidence in Binyam's case that isn't evidence that was tortured out of him. The bottom line is that we're happy for him to face a fair trial, if that's what everyone wants to do. But the problem we do have is that trying him using torture evidence, using secret evidence, is giving him an unfair trial. The British Government has made it perfectly clear, the military commissions are unfair.”
N.B Someone can not change his/her nationality because of the circumstances that he/she is in. When a report comes out about him/her the document they use is the one he/she submitted when he/she entered the country.
All I read is hate as an Ethiopian that makes me sick. When are we going to learn to love ourselves and each other? I love Ethiopia only is not enough. We have to know that Ethiopia is everyone and everything within the political boundry of Ethiopia.
Last but not least hate will never ever solve our problems. Look around the world and try to learn what the consquences of hate is.
I don't belong to any political party or organization I am writing this as an
Ethiopian.
PEACE
12/12/07 @ 11:38
Comment from: Abyssiniangirl [Visitor]
what do you think a lone habesha, muslim goes to pakistan for? tourism?kkkkk. He was a janitor for God's sakes!! Anyways, i don't really care if those terrorists, as long as that fact is established, If they are tortured. What they plan to do is much, mu much worse, so it serves them right to get all the punishments available.
12/12/07 @ 15:16
Comment from: mind you [Visitor]
Does it matter what he did in the past? Does any crime justify to do another crime against it? Come on guys! He is a human being and he is from Ethiopia as well or whatever from Ertirea. How could those animals cut his penis. This is the worst crime! Please humans................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!And Bush and Americans!!!!! Do not destroy our world!
12/12/07 @ 22:19
Comment from: mind you [Visitor]
To,
belay zeleke,
Are justifing any inhumane act against human beings? cutting his organ by razor blade is what he deserve?
Lole neh! Asheker! Be free! We all are equal human beings! No body ,no any human being has any right to do any injustice against any other. Any crime does not justify to do any crime!!!!!!!!!!!!!
belay zeleke,
Are justifing any inhumane act against human beings? cutting his organ by razor blade is what he deserve?
Lole neh! Asheker! Be free! We all are equal human beings! No body ,no any human being has any right to do any injustice against any other. Any crime does not justify to do any crime!!!!!!!!!!!!!
12/12/07 @ 22:31
Comment from: addis [Visitor]
Well most of the comments above revolve around the nationality of the Beniyam and even a larger number wonder why he was in Pakistan?
1-Is being in Pakistan a crime?
2-Does it really matter whether he is Ethiopian or Eritrea? ( weren't we all Ethiopian some 16years ago!)
3-Doesn't even a "terrorist" deserve justice and humane treatment?
4-doesn't the punishment need to meet the crime allegedly committed
JUSTICE FOR ALL!
1-Is being in Pakistan a crime?
2-Does it really matter whether he is Ethiopian or Eritrea? ( weren't we all Ethiopian some 16years ago!)
3-Doesn't even a "terrorist" deserve justice and humane treatment?
4-doesn't the punishment need to meet the crime allegedly committed
JUSTICE FOR ALL!
12/13/07 @ 01:48
Comment from: Kenadid [Visitor]
Ethiopian man: you not ethiopian, you are hihlnadeer. So, don't talk about Ogasden. your dog of that people.
12/13/07 @ 02:14
Comment from: Obang Ujilu [Visitor]
From the perspective of opinion makers on this subject, I could see most of them are against terrorism whether one is Ethiopian or any body else. This is very good reflection that the world must learn from Ethiopian way. I am proud of you guys and I am proud of being an Ethiopian. Keep on this peaceful spirit in every forum and discussion.
God bless Ethiopia
God bless Ethiopia
12/13/07 @ 05:23
Comment from: Choice [Visitor]
From the look of him, one can tell that he is Eritrean from Hamasien.
Suck it up Bini!
Suck it up Bini!
12/15/07 @ 16:56
Comment from: i read [Visitor]
Terrorist deserves more waterboarding...DUNK him NOW!
12/16/07 @ 14:20
Comment from: Donkey Republican [Visitor]
terrorists deserve more waterboarding....... Dunk the loser filthy savage NOW!
12/16/07 @ 14:24
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