List of
“Ghost Prisoners” Possibly in CIA Custody
List of Detainees Published by Human Rights Watch
The following is a list of persons
believed to be in U.S. custody as “ghost detainees” -- detainees who are
not given any legal rights or access to counsel, and who are likely not
reported to or seen by the International Committee of the Red Cross. The
list is compiled from media reports, public statements by government
officials, and from other information obtained by Human Rights Watch.
Human Rights Watch does not consider this list to be complete: there are
likely other “ghost detainees” held by the United States.
Under international law, enforced disappearances occur when persons are
deprived of their liberty, and the detaining authority refuses to
disclose their fate or whereabouts, or refuses to acknowledge their
detention, which places the detainees outside the protection of the law.
International treaties ratified by the United States prohibit
incommunicado detention of persons in secret locations.
Many of the detainees listed below are suspected of involvement in
serious crimes, including the September 11, 2001 attacks; the 1998 U.S.
Embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania; and the 2002 bombing at two
nightclubs in Bali, Indonesia. (One of the listed, No. 25, Ahmed Khalfan
Ghailani, was indicted in U.S. federal court for his role in the 1998
attacks.) Yet none on this list has been arraigned or criminally
charged, and government officials, speaking anonymously to journalists,
have suggested that some detainees have been tortured or seriously
mistreated in custody.
The current location of these prisoners is unknown.
List, as of December 1, 2005:
1. Ibn Al-Shaykh al-Libi
Reportedly arrested on November 11, 2001, Pakistan.
Libyan, suspected commander at al-Qaeda training camp.
Previously listed as “disappeared” by Human Rights Watch.
2. Abu Faisal
Reportedly arrested on December 12, 2001
Nationality unknown. See next entry.
3. Abdul Aziz
Reportedly arrested on December 14, 2001
Nationality unknown. In early January 2001, Kenton Keith, a spokesman at
the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, produced a chart with the names of senior
al-Qaeda members listed as killed in action, detained, or on the run.
Faisal and Aziz were listed as detained on Dec. 12 and 14, 2001. See:
Andrea Stone, “Path to bin Laden may lie behind bars; US interrogates
al-Qaeda, Taliban prisoners in hope of nailing down war on terror’s
prime targets,” USA Today, January 8, 2002; Bradley Graham and Walter
Pincus, “Al-Qaeda Trainer in U.S. Hands,” The Washington Post, January
5, 2002.
4. Abu Zubaydah (also known as Zain al-Abidin Muhahhad Husain)
Reportedly arrested in March 2002, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
Palestinian (born in Saudi Arabia), suspected senior al-Qaeda
operational planner. Listed as captured in “George W. Bush: Record of
Achievement, Waging and Winning the War on Terror,”
available on the White House website. Previously listed as “disappeared”
by Human Rights Watch.
5. Abdul Rahim al-Sharqawi (aka Riyadh the facilitator)
Reportedly arrested in January 2002
Possibly Yemeni, suspected al-Qaeda member (possibly transferred to
Guantanamo). Previously listed as “disappeared” by Human Rights Watch
(see note 27).
6. Abd al-Hadi al-Iraqi
Reportedly arrested in January 2002
Nationality unknown, presumably Iraqi, suspected commander of al-Qaeda
training camp. U.S. officials told Associated Press on January 8, 2002
and March 30, 2002, of al-Iraqi’s capture. See e.g., “Raid May Have
Nabbed Bin Laden Lieutenant,” Associated Press, March 30, 2002.
Previously listed as “disappeared” by Human Rights Watch (see note 27).
7. Muhammed al-Darbi
Reportedly arrested in August 2002
Yemeni, suspected al-Qaeda member. The Washington Post reported on
October 18, 2002: “U.S. officials learned from interviews with Muhammad
Darbi, an al Qaeda member captured in Yemen in August, that a Yemen cell
was planning an attack on a Western oil tanker, sources said.” On
December 26, 2002, citing “U.S. intelligence and national security
officials,” the Washington Post reports that al-Darbi, as well as Ramzi
Binalshibh [see below], Omar al-Faruq [reportedly escaped from U.S.
custody in July 2005], and Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri [see below] all
“remain under CIA control.”
8. Ramzi bin al-Shibh
Reportedly arrested on September 13, 2002
Yemeni, suspected al-Qaeda conspirator in Sept. 11 attacks (former
roommate of one of the hijackers). Listed in “George W. Bush: Record of
Achievement, Waging and Winning the War on Terror,” available on the
White House website. Previously listed as “disappeared” by Human Rights
Watch.
9. Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri (or Abdulrahim Mohammad Abda al-Nasheri, aka
Abu Bilal al-Makki or Mullah Ahmad Belal)
Reportedly arrested in November 2002, United Arab Emirates.
Saudi or Yemeni, suspected al-Qaeda chief of operations in the Persian
Gulf, and suspected planner of the USS Cole bombing, and attack on the
French oil tanker, Limburg. Listed in “George W. Bush: Record of
Achievement, Waging and Winning the War on Terror,” available on the
White House website. Previously listed as “disappeared” by Human Rights
Watch.
10. Mohammed Omar Abdel-Rahman (aka Asadullah)
Reportedly arrested in February 2003, Quetta, Pakistan.
Egyptian, son of the Sheikh Omar Abdel-Rahman, who was convicted in the
United States of involvement in terrorist plots in New York. See Agence
France Presse, March 4, 2003: “Pakistani and US agents captured the son
of blind Egyptian cleric Omar Abdel Rahman. . . a US official said
Tuesday. Muhamad Abdel Rahman was arrested in Quetta, Pakistan, the
official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.” David Johnston, New
York Times, March 4, 2003: “On Feb. 13, when Pakistani authorities
raided an apartment in Quetta, they got the break they needed. They had
hoped to find Mr. [Khalid Sheikh] Mohammed, but he had fled the
apartment, eluding the authorities, as he had on numerous occasions.
Instead, they found and arrested Muhammad Abdel Rahman, a son of Sheik
Omar Abdel Rahman, the blind Egyptian cleric. . .”
11. Mustafa al-Hawsawi (aka al-Hisawi)
Reportedly arrested on March 1, 2003 (together with Khalid Sheikh
Mohammad), Pakistan.
Saudi, suspected al-Qaeda financier. Previously listed as “disappeared”
by Human Rights Watch.
12. Khalid Sheikh Mohammed
Reportedly arrested on March 1, 2003, Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
Kuwaiti (Pakistani parents), suspected al-Qaeda, alleged to have
“masterminded” Sept. 11 attacks, killing of Daniel Pearl, and USS Cole
attack in 2000. Listed in “George W. Bush: Record of Achievement, Waging
and Winning the War on Terror,” available on the White House website.
Previously listed as “disappeared” by Human Rights Watch.
13. Majid Khan
Reportedly arrested on March-April 2003, Pakistan.
Pakistani, alleged link to Khalid Sheikh Mohammad, alleged involvement
in plot to blow up gas stations in the United States. Details about
Khan’s arrest were revealed in several media reports, especially in
Newsweek: Evan Thomas, “Al Qaeda in America: The Enemy Within,”
Newsweek, June 23, 2003. U.S. prosecutors provided evidence that Majid
Khan was in U.S. custody during the trial of 24-year-old Uzair Paracha,
who was convicted in November 2005 of conspiracy charges, and of
providing material support to terrorist organizations.
14. Yassir al-Jazeeri (aka al-Jaziri)
Reportedly arrested on March 15, 2003, Pakistan.
Possibly Moroccan, Algerian, or Palestinian, suspected al-Qaeda member,
linked to Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. Details of arrest reported: Alex
Spillius, “FBI Questions al-Qaeda Man in Pakistan,” Daily Telegraph,
March 17, 2003; Paul Haven, “Al-Qaida suspect begins cooperating with
authorities, Pakistani security officials say,” Associated Press, March
17, 2003.
15. Ali Abdul Aziz Ali (aka Ammar al Baluchi)
Reportedly arrested on April 29, 2003, Karachi, Pakistan.
A Pakistani, he is alleged to have funneled money to September 11
hijackers, and alleged to have been involved with the Jakarta Marriot
bombing and in handling Jose Padilla’s travel to the United States.
U.S. Judge Sidney Stein ruled that defense attorneys for Uzair Paracha
could introduce statements Baluchi made to U.S. interrogators, proving
that he was in U.S. custody. Former Deputy Attorney General James Comey
also mentioned Baluchi during remarks to the media about the case of
Jose Padilla on June 1, 2004
16. Waleed Mohammed bin Attash (aka Tawfiq bin Attash or Tawfiq Attash
Khallad)
Reportedly arrested on April 29, 2003, Karachi, Pakistan.
Saudi (of Yemeni descent), suspected of involvement in the bombing of
the USS Cole in 2000, and the Sept. 11 attacks. See Afzal Nadeem,
“Pakistan Arrests Six Terror Suspects, including Planner of Sept. 11 and
USS Cole Bombing,” Associated Press, April 30, 2003. His brother, Hassan
Bin Attash, is currently held in Guantanamo. Previously listed as
“disappeared” by Human Rights Watch.
President Bush described his arrest as a “major, significant find” in
the war against terrorism: “He’s a killer. He was one of the top
al-Qaeda operatives. . . . He was right below Khalid Shaikh Mohammad on
the organizational chart of al-Qaeda. He is one less person that people
who love freedom have to worry about.” David Ensor and Syed Mohsin Naqvi,
“Bush Hails Capture of Top al Qaeda Operative,” CNN.com, May 1, 2003.
17. Adil al-Jazeeri
Reportedly arrested on June 17, 2003 outside Peshawar, Pakistan.
Algerian, suspected al-Qaeda and longtime resident of Afghanistan,
alleged “leading member” and “longtime aide to bin Laden.” (Possibly
transferred to Guantanamo.) Previously listed as “disappeared” by Human
Rights Watch.
18. Hambali (aka Riduan Isamuddin)
Reportedly arrested on August 11, 2003, Thailand.
Indonesian, involved in Jemaah Islamiyah and al-Qaeda, alleged
involvement in organizing and financing the Bali nightclub bombings, the
Jakarta Marriot Hotel bombing, and preparations for the September 11
attacks. Listed in “George W. Bush: Record of Achievement, Waging and
Winning the War on Terror,” available on the White House website.
Previously listed as “disappeared” by Human Rights Watch.
19. Mohamad Nazir bin Lep (aka Lillie, or Li-Li)
Reportedly arrested in August 2003, Bangkok, Thailand.
Malaysian, alleged link to Hambali. See next entry.
20. Mohamad Farik Amin (aka Zubair)
Reportedly arrested in June 2003, Thailand.
Malaysian, alleged link to Hambali. For more information on the arrest
of Mohammad Farik Amin and Mohamad Nazir bin Lep, see: Kimina Lyall,
“Hambali Talks Under Grilling—Slaughter of Innocents,” The Australian,
August 21, 2003; Kimina Lyall, “Hambali Moved JI Front Line to
Bangladesh, Pakistan,” The Weekend Australian, September 27, 2003; Simon
Elegant and Andrew Perrin, “Asia’s Terror Threat,” Time Asia Magazine,
October 6, 2003; Simon Elegant, “The Terrorist Talks,” Time, October 13,
2003.
21. Tariq Mahmood
Reportedly arrested in October 2003, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Dual British and Pakistani nationality, alleged to have ties to
al-Qaeda. See “Pakistan grills detained British al-Qaeda suspect,”
Agence-France Presse, November 10, 2005; Sean O’Neill, “Five still held
without help or hope; Guantanamo,” The Times, January 12, 2005.
22. Hassan Ghul
Reportedly arrested on January 23, 2004, in Kurdish highlands, Iraq.
Pakistani, alleged to be Zarqawi’s courier to bin Laden; alleged ties to
Khalid Sheikh Mohammad. President Bush described Hassan Ghul’s arrest on
January 26, 2004, in comments to the press, Little Rock, Arkansas: “Just
last week we made further progress in making America more secure when a
fellow named Hassan Ghul was captured in Iraq. Hassan Ghul reported
directly to Khalid Sheik Mohammad, who was the mastermind of the
September 11 attacks. . . . He was captured in Iraq, where he was
helping al Qaeda to put pressure on our troops.”
23. Musaad Aruchi (aka Musab al-Baluchi, al-Balochi, al-Baloshi)
Reportedly arrested in Karachi on June 12, 2004, in a “CIA-supervised
operation.”
Presumably Pakistani. Pakistani intelligence officials told journalists
Aruchi was held by Pakistani authorities at an airbase for three days,
before being handed over to the U.S., and then flown in an unmarked CIA
plane to an undisclosed location. Anwar Iqbal, “Pakistan Hands Over 1998
Bomber to US,” United Press International, August 3, 2004. See also,
reports cited in next entry, and Zahid Hussain, “Pakistan Intensifies
Effort Against al Qaeda,” The Asian Wall Street Journal, August 5, 2004;
Bill Powell, “Target: America,” Time Magazine, August 16, 2004, Vol.
164, Issue 7; “Pakistani Aides: Al-Qaida Arrest in June Opened Leads,”
Dow Jones International News, August 3, 2004; “CIA-supervised arrest in
Pak opened valuable leads: Report,” The Press Trust of India, August 3,
2004.
24. Mohammed Naeem Noor Khan (aka Abu Talaha)
Reportedly arrested on July 13, 2004, Pakistan.
Pakistani, computer engineer, was held by Pakistani authorities, and
likely transferred to U.S. custody. (Possibly in joint U.S.-Pakistani
custody.) See Douglas Jehl and David Rohde, “Captured Qaeda Figure Led
Way To Information Behind Warning,” New York Times, August 2, 2004.
Kamran Khan, “Al Qaeda Arrest In June Opened Valuable Leads,” Washington
Post, August 3, 2004; Kamran Khan and Dana Priest, “Pakistan Pressures
Al Qaeda; Military Operation Results In Terror Alert and Arrests,”
Washington Post, August 5, 2004; “Pakistan questioning almost 20
Al-Qaeda suspects,” Agence-France Presse, August 5, 2005; Robert Block
and Gary Fields, “Al Qaeda’s Data on U.S. Targets Aren’t New:
Surveillance of Listed Sites In Eastern Cities Took Place Over Time,
Perhaps Years,” The Asian Wall Street Journal, August 7, 2004; Adrian
Levy and Cathy Scott-Clark, “One Huge U.S. Jail,” The Guardian, March
19, 2005.
25. Ahmed Khalfan Ghailani
Reportedly arrested on July 24, 2004, Pakistan
Tanzanian, reportedly indicted in the United States for 1998 embassy
bombings. U.S. and Pakistani intelligence officials told UPI that
Ghailani was transferred to “CIA custody” in early August. See Anwar
Iqbal, “Pakistan Hands Over 1998 Bomber to US,” United Press
International, August 3, 2004. Pakistani security officials told AFP and
Reuters in January 2005, that Ghailani was handed over to the United
States “several months ago.” See e.g., “Pakistan hands Tanzanian
Al-Qaeda bombing suspect to US,” Agence France Presse, January 25, 2005.
Listed as captured in “George W. Bush: Record of Achievement, Waging and
Winning the War on Terror,” available on the White House website.
26. Abu Faraj al-Libi
Reportedly arrested on May 4, 2005, North Western Frontier Province,
Pakistan.
Libyan, suspected al-Qaeda leader of operations, alleged mastermind of
two assassination attempts on Musharraf. Col. James Yonts, a U.S.
military spokesman in Afghanistan, “said in an email to The Associated
Press that al-Libbi was taken directly from Pakistan to the U.S. and was
not brought to Afghanistan.”

