Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BERLIN61
2007-01-11 07:30:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Berlin
Cable title:
GERMAN PROSECUTOR REQUESTS ASSISTANCE IN KURNAZ
how-toVZCZCXRO5171 OO RUEHAG RUEHDF RUEHLZ DE RUEHRL #0061 0110730 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 110730Z JAN 07 FM AMEMBASSY BERLIN TO RHMFISS/CDRUSAREUR HEIDELBERG GE IMMEDIATE RHMFIUU/COMSOCEUR VAIHINGEN GE IMMEDIATE RUEAWJC/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC IMMEDIATE RHMCSUU/FBI WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RHMFIUU/HQ USAFE RAMSTEIN AB GE IMMEDIATE RHMFIUU/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL IMMEDIATE RUEKJCS/HQ USEUCOM LO WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE IMMEDIATE RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6636 RUEHRL/USDAO BERLIN GE IMMEDIATE INFO RUCNFRG/FRG COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL IMMEDIATE 0432
UNCLAS BERLIN 000061
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR L - ADEEKS AND JDOROSIN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KLIG KJUS MARR MOPS GM
SUBJECT: GERMAN PROSECUTOR REQUESTS ASSISTANCE IN KURNAZ
CASE
REF: A. 06 BERLIN 3555
B. 1/8/07 NEUMANN-EUR/AGS EMAIL
UNCLAS BERLIN 000061
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR L - ADEEKS AND JDOROSIN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KLIG KJUS MARR MOPS GM
SUBJECT: GERMAN PROSECUTOR REQUESTS ASSISTANCE IN KURNAZ
CASE
REF: A. 06 BERLIN 3555
B. 1/8/07 NEUMANN-EUR/AGS EMAIL
1. (U) This Cable contains an Action Request. Please see
para 4.
2. (SBU) The State Prosecutor's Office in Tuebingen has
contacted the Staff Judge Advocate, Stuttgart Law Center,
asking for further information in connection with events
Murat Kurnaz -- a Turkish citizen resident in Germany --
alleges to have happened to him in a U.S.-run prison facility
in Kandahar. Kurnaz was detained in Guantanamo beginning in
2002 and returned to Germany in 2006. The request follows
the earlier (ref A) request for videos of his alleged
questioning by German officials, sent from the Bundestag's
Investigating Committee to the Ambassador. The Tuebingen
State Prosecutor announced January 8 that he will open
preliminary proceedings against two German Special Forces
soldiers (ref B). The two soldiers are alleged to have used
inappropriate force on Kurnaz during his reported detention
in the Kandahar facility in January 2002.
3. (SBU) Kurnaz made his allegation against two soldiers
assigned to the KSK (Kommando Spezialkraefte - German Special
Forces),a unit stationed in Calw (within the jurisdiction of
the State Prosecutor in Tuebingen). Dr. Michael Pfohl is the
Chief Public Prosecutor in the office of the State Prosecutor
in Tuebingen, and is in charge of investigating the
allegations of abuse by German soldiers. Pfohl requests
information from the USG in connection with the case. He
also said the case will be subject to the statute of
limitations soon and therefore he requests an answer as soon
as possible. Pfohl told the Office of the Staff Judge
Advocate, Stuttgart Law Center, 21st Theater Support Command
he is preparing an official request to U.S. authorities and
requested guidance concerning to whom to address his request.
He said his questions are:
- Is it possible for trucks or smaller vans to drive into the
compound/prison/camp?
- If yes, is it true that the vehicles would enter the
compound on a regular basis to clean toilets and other
excrement containers?
- Is it possible to name an individual within the
administration or command of the Kandahar prison camp who
would be able to testify to the above subject?
- Is it possible to name any individuals who accompanied the
German soldiers on their tour of the Kandahar Camp?
4. (SBU) Post requests guidance in how to respond to the
Prosecutor's questions.
5. (U) This Cable was coordinated with USAREUR.
TIMKEN JR
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR L - ADEEKS AND JDOROSIN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KLIG KJUS MARR MOPS GM
SUBJECT: GERMAN PROSECUTOR REQUESTS ASSISTANCE IN KURNAZ
CASE
REF: A. 06 BERLIN 3555
B. 1/8/07 NEUMANN-EUR/AGS EMAIL
1. (U) This Cable contains an Action Request. Please see
para 4.
2. (SBU) The State Prosecutor's Office in Tuebingen has
contacted the Staff Judge Advocate, Stuttgart Law Center,
asking for further information in connection with events
Murat Kurnaz -- a Turkish citizen resident in Germany --
alleges to have happened to him in a U.S.-run prison facility
in Kandahar. Kurnaz was detained in Guantanamo beginning in
2002 and returned to Germany in 2006. The request follows
the earlier (ref A) request for videos of his alleged
questioning by German officials, sent from the Bundestag's
Investigating Committee to the Ambassador. The Tuebingen
State Prosecutor announced January 8 that he will open
preliminary proceedings against two German Special Forces
soldiers (ref B). The two soldiers are alleged to have used
inappropriate force on Kurnaz during his reported detention
in the Kandahar facility in January 2002.
3. (SBU) Kurnaz made his allegation against two soldiers
assigned to the KSK (Kommando Spezialkraefte - German Special
Forces),a unit stationed in Calw (within the jurisdiction of
the State Prosecutor in Tuebingen). Dr. Michael Pfohl is the
Chief Public Prosecutor in the office of the State Prosecutor
in Tuebingen, and is in charge of investigating the
allegations of abuse by German soldiers. Pfohl requests
information from the USG in connection with the case. He
also said the case will be subject to the statute of
limitations soon and therefore he requests an answer as soon
as possible. Pfohl told the Office of the Staff Judge
Advocate, Stuttgart Law Center, 21st Theater Support Command
he is preparing an official request to U.S. authorities and
requested guidance concerning to whom to address his request.
He said his questions are:
- Is it possible for trucks or smaller vans to drive into the
compound/prison/camp?
- If yes, is it true that the vehicles would enter the
compound on a regular basis to clean toilets and other
excrement containers?
- Is it possible to name an individual within the
administration or command of the Kandahar prison camp who
would be able to testify to the above subject?
- Is it possible to name any individuals who accompanied the
German soldiers on their tour of the Kandahar Camp?
4. (SBU) Post requests guidance in how to respond to the
Prosecutor's questions.
5. (U) This Cable was coordinated with USAREUR.
TIMKEN JR