In brief
Abd al-Hadi al-Iraqi, the oldest inmate at Guantánamo Bay, is making legal moves to prevent his transfer to an Iraqi prison, fearing for his health and safety as he continues to deal with serious medical issues stemming from his time in U.S. custody.
Abd al-Hadi al-Iraqi, the oldest and most disabled detainee at Guantánamo Bay, has filed a lawsuit in federal court to prevent his planned transfer from the U.S. military prison to a facility in Iraq. The court filing reveals ongoing discussions regarding his transfer, which is contested by al-Iraqi himself and his legal team. They argue that moving him to Iraq poses significant risks, including potential abuse and a lack of appropriate medical care.Currently 63 years old, al-Iraqi, also known as Nashwan al-Tamir, suffers from a severe spine condition and has undergone six surgeries at the military base. In 2022, he pleaded guilty to war crimes in Afghanistan, a decision made in exchange for the possibility of serving his sentence in a country better positioned to meet his healthcare needs, with a projected release date in 2032. The legal petition suggests that the Biden administration's strategy to reduce Guantánamo’s detainee population includes moving him to the Karkh prison outside Baghdad – a facility previously used for U.S. operations. However, his attorneys argue that given Iraq’s problematic prison system, al-Tamir would not receive the security or medical attention required for his deteriorating health, exacerbated by previous inadequate care at Guantánamo.The lawsuit highlights a broader context as the U.S. government aims to repatriate prisoners, with four inmates, who were willing to return to their home countries, recently released. Al-Iraqi's situation underscores the complexities and ethical concerns surrounding the handling of incarcerated individuals involved in war crimes, and the alignment of their rights against national security strategies.
