Gitmo Lawyer Alleges Torture Evidence Destruction

A military lawyer for a Guantanamo detainee says it was standard operating procedure to destroy evidence of torture (or harsh interrogation techniques, as some call it) in order to “minimize certain legal issues.” Lt. Cmdr. William Kuebler is concerned that, because of the policy, he will not be able to challenge the alleged confessions of his client, who was detained at the age of 15.

Guardian:

The apparently wilful and officially sanctioned destruction of notes meant he would be unable to challenge supposed confessions given by [Omar] Khadr, Kuebler said yesterday.

He told reporters the instruction was contained in a US military manual of standard operating procedures, or SOPs, for interrogators that was shown to him during a pre-trial review of possible evidence.

“The mission has legal and political issues that may lead to interrogators being called to testify ... Keeping the number of documents with interrogation information to a minimum can minimise certain legal issues,” the document was cited as saying in an affidavit signed by Kuebler.

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AP photo / Brennan Llinsley

A prisoner shields his face as he peers out through a “bean hole,” which is used to pass food and other items into cells, at Guantanamo’s Camp Delta detention center.