Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05PARIS4805
2005-07-08 16:48:00
SECRET
Embassy Paris
Cable title:
EX-GTMO DETAINEE RELEASED FROM PRE-TRIAL DETENTION
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
S E C R E T PARIS 004805
SIPDIS
STATE FOR S/CT, EUR/WE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/07/2015
TAGS: PTER PGOV PREL FR
SUBJECT: EX-GTMO DETAINEE RELEASED FROM PRE-TRIAL DETENTION
REF: PARIS 3118
Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt, reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).
(S) Ex-GTMO detainee Imad Achab Kanouni, returned to France
in July 2004, was released on bail from pre-trial detention
July 7. Kanouni is one of seven French ex-GTMO detainees,
five of whom now remain in police custody. Kanouni posted
his home as bail and will be required to check in with his
local police commissariat weekly. Terrorism investigating
judge Jean-Francois Ricard (strictly protect) had previously
indicated to Poloffs that Kanouni's release was probable
(reftel) due to the lack of evidence the prosecution had
against him. Ricard believed it was in the best interest of
the prosecution to release Kanouni and drop the charges
against him in order to avoid hurting the cases against the
remaining five ex-detainees in custody. While this recent
court decision does release Kanouni, the charges have not yet
been dropped. Felix de Belloy, Kanouni's attorney, confirmed
to us the release of his client and indicated that he would
press for the charges to be dropped, noting he was confident
that this would eventually happen. According to Belloy, his
client lived in Kabul for two years under the Taliban and
admits to having known and met with terrorists. However,
Belloy contends that his client did not participate in their
activities and that there is insufficient evidence of any
link between Kanouni and terrorist acts to justify the
charges.
STAPLETON
SIPDIS
STATE FOR S/CT, EUR/WE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/07/2015
TAGS: PTER PGOV PREL FR
SUBJECT: EX-GTMO DETAINEE RELEASED FROM PRE-TRIAL DETENTION
REF: PARIS 3118
Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt, reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).
(S) Ex-GTMO detainee Imad Achab Kanouni, returned to France
in July 2004, was released on bail from pre-trial detention
July 7. Kanouni is one of seven French ex-GTMO detainees,
five of whom now remain in police custody. Kanouni posted
his home as bail and will be required to check in with his
local police commissariat weekly. Terrorism investigating
judge Jean-Francois Ricard (strictly protect) had previously
indicated to Poloffs that Kanouni's release was probable
(reftel) due to the lack of evidence the prosecution had
against him. Ricard believed it was in the best interest of
the prosecution to release Kanouni and drop the charges
against him in order to avoid hurting the cases against the
remaining five ex-detainees in custody. While this recent
court decision does release Kanouni, the charges have not yet
been dropped. Felix de Belloy, Kanouni's attorney, confirmed
to us the release of his client and indicated that he would
press for the charges to be dropped, noting he was confident
that this would eventually happen. According to Belloy, his
client lived in Kabul for two years under the Taliban and
admits to having known and met with terrorists. However,
Belloy contends that his client did not participate in their
activities and that there is insufficient evidence of any
link between Kanouni and terrorist acts to justify the
charges.
STAPLETON