Five Years of My Life: An Innocent Man in Guantanamo by Murat Kurnaz
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Book Summary Author: Murat Kurnaz Edition: Hardcover Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published) Published: 2008-04-01 ISBN: 0230603742 Number of pages: 256 Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan |
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Book Reviews of the Five Years of My Life: An Innocent Man in Guantanamo
Customer Review: Read With Caution!
Summary: 3 Stars
Murat Kurnaz, a Turkish citizen, was arrested shortly after 9/11 in Peshawar, Pakistan as he was preparing to return to Germany and his parents and new bride. Kurnaz had gone to Pakistan to learn how to be a good Muslim. Reportedly, the U.S. paid a $3,000 bounty for his capture.
Kurnaz alleges he was constantly beaten by American soldiers, both in Kandahar and Guantanamo, kept in sometimes very cold conditions without adequate clothing or cover, served very inadequate meals, tortured (eg. electroshock treatment, strung up from the ceiling for up to five days, cold showers outside in cold weather - witnessed by female guards, loud music, bright lights, etc. Kurnaz also claims that there were instances when guards desecrated prisoners' Korans, and fractures were not treated. Only a hunger strike helped, and only with one camp commander.
Ultimately Kurnaz was returned to Germany and freed after a federal judge ruled the evidence against him did not stand up, and two instances of talks between the German and American leaders.
If even half of Kurnaz's story is true, it is a terrible reflection on America and those involved. (I have no doubt that there were a few bad apples - given the situation, that is hard to prevent.) However, authenticity of Kurnaz's overall story is a big question. Initially he claims being held because of a general bounty on Al Qaeda suspects - no matter how thin the evidence, then because he had briefly associated with a group supportive of Al Qaeda, and finally because there was a fear that he had known Mohammad Atta. Perhaps all three reasons were true at various times, perhaps not.
Then there is his evolution from knowing very little English to being fluent enough to offer sarcastic and nuanced responses to interrogators. Kurnaz also claims that physicians examined him in between torture sessions, and had the label "Doctor" on their uniforms. (I never saw such a label on Army M.D.s)
Finally, for whatever reason, Kurnaz declines to name individuals at Guantanamo, hiding their real identity with pseudonyms (except for General Miller). Use of actual names would possibly have given his story considerably increased credibility by allowing specific focus to investigations of torture, etc. The book also fails to follow-up by interviewing those involved with his early military trials - what actually was concluded, and why.
Bottom Line: Read with caution; confirmatory evidence is required.