UPDATE ON PALESTINIAN DETAINEES IN COALITION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 002388 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MOPS PHUM PINS PTER XF SUBJECT: UPDATE ON PALESTINIAN DETAINEES IN COALITION CUSTODY REF: A. BAGHDAD 246 ¶B. JERUSALEM 196 -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (SBU) In this cable, Post provides an update to Reftel A, which was sent in January 2005 in response to AmConsul Jerusalem's request in Reftel B for information on the status of Palestinian security internees held by Coalition Forces inside Iraq. As of May 31, 2005, Multi-National Force - Iraq held eight identified Palestinians; their individual status is detailed below. Unless otherwise indicated, all information may be passed to Palestinian Authority officials. ¶2. (U) The files of security internees are subject to review every 90-180 days by the Combined Review and Release Board, an Iraqi-majority panel staffed by representatives from the Iraqi Ministries of Justice, Interior, and Human Rights, as well as MNF-I. The CRRB currently approves 40% of the cases it reviews for release, with the remaining 60% recommended for continued detention on the assessment that release would pose an imperative threat to Iraqi security. All detainees remain subject to criminal prosecution by the Central Criminal Court of Iraq. -------------- CASE DETAILS -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Mohammed Saleh Hassan (ISN No. 150447) was detained by MNF-I on September 4, 2003; Mr. Hassan was in possession of explosives at the time of his apprehension, and is believed to have been involved in attacks on Coalition Forces. (Do not pass this sentence: the FBI has placed a hold on this detainee due to active interrogation.) ¶4. (SBU) Marwan Helmi Saeed Dabhof (ISN No. 162141) was detained by MNF-I on July 16, 2004 due to his involvement in a terrorist cell manufacturing Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs) and linked to al-Qaeda. On February 9, 2005, the Board (see para (2) recommended Mr. Dabhof for continued internment as an ongoing security threat. ¶5. (SBU) Awad Ahmed Awad Sahknini (ISN No. 166831) was detained by MNF-I on November 24, 2005 based on information suggesting that he was a high-level terrorist cell organizer associated with Tawheet al-Jihad. He was recommended for continued internment by the Board on April 5, 2005. ¶6. (SBU) Jayyab Mahmoud Hasan Ehmedat (ISN No. 106593) has been recommended for release. His file has been sent to CENTCOM for approval, a process which normally takes four- to-six weeks; should CENTCOM concur, he will be free to depart Iraq voluntarily, or to seek the permission of the Iraqi government for his release inside Iraq. ¶7. (SBU) Ahmed Hussain Yousif (ISN No. 107298) was detained on April 23, 2003 for illegal entry into Iraq and engagement in anti-Coalition activities. He was recommended for continued internment by the Board on January 5, 2005, and is currently facing trial at the Central Criminal Court. ¶8. (SBU) Ibraheem Mahmood Mohammed (ISN No. 154750) was detained on December 5, 2003 in possession of blank passports and bomb-making equipment. He was recommended by the Board for continued internment on April 15, 2005, and is currently being considered for prosecution by the Central Criminal Court. ¶9. (SBU) Mohammed Awad Ahmed (ISN No. 166826) was detained with seven others (five wounded) during fighting in Fallujah on November 25, 2004. He was found near a weapons stockpile, and his hands tested positive for gunpowder. The Board voted for continued internment on March 15, 2005. ¶10. (SBU) Osama Feysa Mohammed (ISN No. 172700) was detained on May 2, 2005 during a targeted raid on his cousin's house. His file has been sent to the Commanding General of Task Force 134 for consideration for expedited release. ¶11. (SBU) Coalition Forces have no record of holding a Palestinian detainee with a name similar to "Ahmad Badran Fares Abueid". The identification number provided by the Palestinian Authority for this detainee, 106319, belongs to an Iraqi national named Abbas Mahmud al-Azawi, resident in Diyala Province, detained April 14, 2003 and released thirteen days later. Satterfield