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Gitmo Prisoner Fights His Own Release

Algerian prefers detention to torture as terrorist—or by terrorists—at home

By Dustin Lushing, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 31, 2007 6:21 AM CDT

(Newser) – A detainee at Guantanamo Bay is doing everything he can in court—to stay in prison. Algerian Ahmed Belbacha, 38, is contesting his imminent release from the notorious detention camp because he fears he'll be tortured by Algerian security agents as a suspected terrorist—or killed by Islamic terrorists for being a former state worker, reports the Times.

Belbacha, who spends 22 hours a day in a windowless isolation cell, filed an emergency motion with the US Court of Appeals asking that his release be blocked. He was an accountant for a state-owned oil company when he fled Algeria in 1999. He lived in Britain, and Pakistan, where he claims villagers sold him to authorities, in 2001, for a bounty. The US has determined he poses no threat.

(FILES) In this 06 December 2006 file photo, a detainee is escorted... (Getty Images)

(FILES) In this 05 December 2006 file photo, leg restraints await... (Getty Images)

(FILES) In this 24 April 2007 file photo, a Joint Task Force... (Getty Images)

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Gitmo Prisoner Fights His Own Release

Algerian prefers detention to torture as terrorist—or by terrorists—at home

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Obama Restarts Guantanamo Trials

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Gitmo Prisoner Fights His Own Release

Algerian prefers detention to torture as terrorist—or by terrorists—at home

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

torture • terrorism • Algeria • Washington DC • Guantanamo Bay • court • Ahmed Balbacha • Guantanamo prisoners

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Obama Restarts Guantanamo Trials

Administration ends 2-year military prosecution freeze

25% of Freed Gitmo Detainees Returned to Terror

New report offers first look at what happened to former prisoners

UK Paying Millions in Compensation to Gitmo Brits

Men alleged that UK intelligence agencies colluded in torture

Prosecutors Hope Plea Deals Will Close Gitmo Cases

Federal, Military prosecutors fight for rare testimony

No Clear Way for US to Prosecute Gitmo Prisoners

Experts split on whether to use federal courts or military commissions

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Newser By Users

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