Part 4-- A Gitmo Detainee's story: The Hell Chronicles

By GottaLaff

This is Part 4 of Fayiz al-Kandari's story. He is the Gitmo detainee who is being represented by Major Barry D. Wingard (original posts and updates here). I'm doing everything I can to help them get the chronology and substance of Fayiz's experiences out, because until now, the American media has virtually ignored him.

The following is what I'll call "The Hell Chronicles". Allow Barry to explain in his own words (via an e-mail):

My discussions with Fayiz in memo form [...] [M]uch of this has never been seen before.

Remember, Fayiz is one of the few detainees who has a criminal lawyer and is not a High Value Detainee's (HVD) which means what he says is not classified. There are approximately 10 others total that meet both criteria.

I've eliminated specific dates on which events took place for legal reasons. I've also conspicuously avoided the word "torture" for the same reasons. IMHO, the meaning of that word is more appropriate than the legal definition is, but I am the last person who wants to affect Fayiz's case negatively. No matter what we call it, it's important to note that it occurred in your name as an American citizen.

And now, please join Fayiz in The Hell Chronicles already in progress:

Once upon a time, there was a Kuwaiti who was likely sold to American forces in Afghanistan while doing charity work. He has spent the last 7+ years in various prisons, because someone wanted to make a fast buck. Somehow, some way, Fayiz the Superhumanly Strong Kuwaiti has maintained his sense of humor, despite the following:

Afghanistan stay approximately 10 days Fayiz arrived injured from an American bomb '01

Afghanis as guards
No abuse, guards sad to turn him over
Fayiz wearing bloody cloths

Americans purchased him, came to photograph him to ensure he was not re-sold

Initially happy that the liberators of his country in the early 90’s are fair and just people. Worst case, legal system if all else fails.
Interrogated one total time by an American, no mistreatment.

Note: Same American would visit Fayiz in GTMO years later

Afghanistan 3-4 weeks '01

Afghan guards with American administrators (seen often giving orders)
Fayiz still in bloody cloths

Abuse:
Always after midnight 4-5 guys present in room
Short shackled in sitting position (could set on ankle because of shackle on ankle)
Short shackled in lying position
Hit with chain and water hose (several bruises and scars)

Bathroom one trip per day
Eat very little food water to make to end of day

Photographed again. Fayiz glad to finally be transferred to American control: “they (Americans) must not have known what the Afghan guards were doing, finally civilized people were taking me.”

Now then, Fayiz, who, as I mentioned earlier, was a very, very strong individual, found himself in a new, albeit temporary, home. Unfortunately, the housewarming wasn't exactly the kind he would have preferred:

Afghanistan 1 month '02

American soldiers do transfer, sand bag on head, ears/eyes covered pose for pictures with feet on Fayiz’s head and shoulders (strictly for humiliation purposes). Remembers wrists and feet tied extremely tight either squatting or lying face down with wrists cuffed to ankles.
American guards and administrators
Fayiz told “You will be going home.”

Forced to stay in tent with roof but no sides very cold

Leg wound still not treated, Fayiz still in bloody cloths.
Fayiz photographed

One might wonder, "Well, come on,if there were photos taken, why not use them as evidence of abuse?" And one might respond, "Because they remain classified. Their release is prohibited." Then one might take a deep, deep breath and try not to allow one's head to explode.

Transfer to another jail.
Afghanistan approximately 2 months '02

Arrival 5 days in solitary in hanger with two guards keeping him awake 5 days
Guards either side yelling stay standing and awake

Entire body shaved initially except cross on chest, later shaved as well

Interrogated approximately 30 total times

Nudity and pointing guns were big “enhanced techniques”
Guards extremely physical with punches and kicks
Fayiz has ribs broken (x-ray taken)
Guards would beat before Interrogator would enter room
Room consisted of several guards and interrogators
Electricity first introduced in the form of a stun gun
Female guards began to offer sex and sex related inferences

Fayiz photographed with bruised and beaten face, full body nude photo taken (picture shows protruding rib and bruising all over body)

Fayiz finally given orange jumpsuit [Note: White prison clothing was reserved for compliant detainees; orange for the non-compliant]

Prior to leaving female lifted ear muff and put mouth in ear and whispered “you are going to hell in GTMO.”

Where's a good witch when you need one? Apparently, from that last entry, there were bad witches galore. And so Fayiz moved to a brand new location. By this time, he was probably getting a little wary of any new digs, even if the new digs were on beachfront property. Location, location, location!

His little junket to Gitmo gave whole new meaning to the word "screwed":

Guantanamo (Cuba) 2002 Present

Drugged, sandbagged, ear muffed, tied extremely tight tied on a line drug into airplane, head harness had small screw protruding into scull for 24 hr ride to Cuba

Two-three military guards per detainee who would write all observations
Many detainees crying and begging since most had never been on an airplane before were sure they would die.

30 total detainees moved with Fayiz
Drugged in zombie state, harness with a tiny screw between the harness and scalp, two stops and twenty four hours later, GTMO

Violently picked up and shaken, then thrown to the ground. Sounds and smells Fayiz will never forget; remember no bathroom for approximately 24 hours.

Loud speaker in English and Arabic:

“You are the property of the United States” and “You are at the bottom of the world.”

Thrown on a bus “Where a soldier urinated on Fayiz, the guards would yell “stop resisting” all the while slamming detainees on the head and body.

Many needed shower from past twenty-four hours, Fayiz stripped and told to shower in front of both male and female guards.

Taken to medical doctor who inquired about chain bruises from many months prior and an x-ray taken of his broken bones still protruding. Remember you cannot see these photos; it would be to dangerous and jeopardize your safety.

X-ray again taken of ribs and nude photo of body 2002.

What great company that crowd was. Who knew they'd be so into co-ed showering? Think about it: The military is all about "don't ask, don't tell", don't touch in a gay way... but apparently quite a few are heavily into humiliating, mixed-company, woman/man-on-man voyeurism.

Sidebar: Wasn't it Dick Cheney who was so anxious to tie Saddam Hussein to Al Queda in order to justify invading Iraq? Why yes, yes it was! I smell a tie-in...

GTMO interrogations

Interrogators “You are from Al Qaeda, just admit it.” Tell us about Sadam Hussein” and tell us your relationship with “Osama Bin Laden.”

Fayiz figures he has been interrogated approximately 400 times.

One time he was questioned with guards lining the hall of another Camp , in room multiple interrogators who asked questions in rapid succession.

GTMO techniques included shackled to the floor up to 36 hours, strobe lights, loud music, sexual favors, assaults, climate control (ice from AC to floor).

A scene: two way glass, guards first assault the detainee, then detainee shackled to floor for several hours, strobe light and loud music (the music “really bad” says Fayiz with a smile) playing, the AC on max, a guard would dump water on you every hour until the interrogators arrive the next day. Too cold to sleep. People/dogs entering the room with strobe light was countered with keeping your eyes closed.
Note: The FBI has written several reports about their outrage at these “enhanced activities.”

Sadly, Fayiz is still in that evil place called Gitmo. No good witches. No happy endings... yet. What is he up to these days, you may be wondering. Well, wonder no more:

Currently

The cell extractions with IRF Team
Taken the detainees attorney/client mail
Food battles
Recreation time at midnight

There now, see what a little hearsay evidence can do? Once Fayiz's tale ends-- and we hope it ends very, very soon-- he will again be his own man, with his own life, his very own dignity, and his very, very own peace of mind... with only his emotional and physical scars to remind him of this interminably long, most unpleasant journey.

Did I say "only"?'

Anyone want to sing “I’m Proud to be American?”

Stay tuned for Part 5 of "The Hell Chronicles" coming soon to a neighborhood blog near you.

(Not) The End

UPDATE: Recent e-mail from Barry to me:

I have been involved in hundreds of client's Fayiz is not guilty, period. We thank you.

We thank you, Major Wingard. You're one of the best Good Guys there is.