The Case of Binyam Ahmed Muhammad

Binyam Ahmed Muhammad, an Ethiopian who sought asylum in the United Kingdom, was charged with conspiring with members of al Qaeda, including Osama bin Laden, to attack civilians and civilian objects, commit murder, destroy property, and commit terrorism. According to his charge sheet, Muhammad conspired with Abu Zubaydah and U.S. citizen Jose Padilla to cause explosions at apartment buildings and gas stations in the United States. Muhammad was allegedly captured on April 10, 2002 in Karachi, Pakistan while trying to return to London. In July 2002, according to Muhammad, he was transferred by the United States to Morocco where he spent fourteen weeks undergoing torture. While in Morocco, he was subjected beatings, shackling in painful positions, and to knife cuts to his chest and penis. In January 2004, Muhammad was transferred to what is believed to be a CIA run facility in Afghanistan, where he was held until his eventual transfer to Guantanamo Bay in September 2004.