WASHINGTON — The United States on Wednesday released the final three detainees from the Parwan Detention Center in Afghanistan, ending the U.S. operation of any prisons in the country after more than a decade of war, the Pentagon said.
Two of the detainees, including Redha al-Najar, were transferred into Afghan custody for possible prosecution, while the third wasn't considered a threat and is seeking resettlement in another country.
In 2002, al-Najar was the subject of "enhanced interrogation" techniques by the CIA, according to the newly released Senate Intelligence Committee report.
The report said al-Najar, a former bodyguard of Osama bin Laden, was held at the so-called CIA salt pit in Afghanistan where his interrogation included "isolation in total darkness; lowering the quality of his food; keeping him at an uncomfortable (cold) temperature, playing music 24 hours a day and keeping him shackled and hooded."
It also said he was left hanging — with his wrists handcuffed to an overhead bar — for 22 hours a day for two days, had to wear a diaper and had no access to toilet facilities.
After a month, the Senate report said, al-Najar was "clearly a broken man" and "on the verge of complete breakdown." The Senate report cited a CIA cable saying al-Najar was willing to do whatever the CIA officer asked. U.S. military participation in his interrogation was forbidden because it was seen as a risk to military personnel.
U.S. officials had worked to transfer all remaining detainees before the end of this year, when the U.S. combat mission ends.
In a statement Wednesday, Lt. Col. Myles Caggins, a Pentagon spokesman, said that after careful review, the U.S. has transferred the last of the third-country nationals held in U.S. custody in Afghanistan.
