HAVEERU DAILY NEWS ARTICLE 12 MARCH 2005
http://www.haveeru.com.mv/
Quick Translation
MALDIVIAN DETAINED IN GUANTANAMO BAY JAIL FREED AND BROUGHT TO MALE
12 March 2005
Ahmed Abdulla
Ibrahim Fauzi of Bird Villa of Tulhaadoo Island of Baa Atoll, detained in
Guatanamo Bay, the American military base in Cuba, arrived Maldives today having
being freed after two years in detention. Fauzi, who was arrested in Karachi,
Pakistan about two years ago, came to the Maldives today on a special American
plane at 1.15 in the afternoon.
In an interview given to television in the Male’ International Airport arrival
hall, he said it was difficult for him to speak in Divehi. Therefore he spoke in
Urdu.
According to him he was transferred elsewhere from Guantanamo Bay Delta Camp on
the 28th of last month.
“When I was held there we were forbidden to speak to anyone. Then, about two
nights ago at 12.30 my belongings were given to me and I was told to prepare to
leave. Then I was taken to a very big plane. I didn’t know even then where I was
being taken. They said I was being taken towards good news. When I was
transferred to a smaller plane I understood I was being taken to Maldives. I was
very happy,” Fauzi said in fluent Urdu.
Fauzi did not speak much when he came out of the Airport and shook hands with
his family. Those who witnessed the scene said family members hugged Fauzi and
were crying with joy and that Fauzi was carrying his small child and smiling.
“When he saw me the only thing he said was “brother”. Even though I cried he was
looking pleased. He did not speak to anyone even we came to Male’ from the
airport,” his full brother Iqbal said today. “We are so overjoyed we don’t know
what to say”.
“A group of anonymous soldiers came and searched the place I lived, my study
books and passports and detained me. I found out that I was freed last
Wednesday”, Fauzi – who was detained in a special joint operation conducted by
American and Pakistani soldiers in order to catch those connected to a certain
organisation following the attack of blowing up the Twin Towers of America in
2001 – said.
According to the Foreign Ministry the Maldivian Government first knew that a
Maldivian had been detained in Guantanamo Bay around May 2002.
First indication that Fauzi, who was previously pursuing his studies in
Pakistan, was going to be freed was received by the Maldivian Government at the
end of last month.
ENDS