Newly Declassified Drawings Expose Alleged Torture Methods at Secret Detention Facilities
In a groundbreaking revelation that sheds new light on controversial CIA interrogation practices, haunting self-portraits by former Guantanamo detainee Mohammed Farik Bin Amin have emerged from sealed court records, offering a rare visual testimony of alleged torture methods employed at secret detention facilities following the September 11 attacks.
Visual evidence emerges after two decades
The drawings, presented during Bin Amin’s sentencing trial in January 2024, provide an unprecedented glimpse into the controversial interrogation techniques allegedly used at CIA black sites.
The Malaysian national, detained in 2003, documented his experiences through a series of detailed illustrations that have now become part of the official record at the post-9/11 war crimes tribunal.
Scenes of alleged torture
“This is what his nightmares are all about. This is what he lives with,” stated Christine Funk, Bin Amin’s defense attorney, who negotiated his plea deal. The drawings, which were displayed on large screens during court proceedings, depict various interrogation methods, including:
- Forced standing sleep deprivation with shackling
- Stress positions involving broomsticks and restraints
- Mock waterboarding scenarios
- Hooded solitary confinement in cold cells
- Extended periods of forced nudity
The declassification of these illustrations marks a significant moment in the transparency of military tribunal proceedings. The government’s decision not to object to their display represents a departure from previous practices of strict secrecy surrounding detention methods.
Confession and context
During his January trial, Bin Amin admitted to war crimes connected to his involvement with Jemaah Islamiyah, the Southeast Asian extremist group behind the 2002 Bali bombings that claimed 202 lives. He specifically acknowledged his role in helping the attack’s primary perpetrator evade capture.
Historical significance
These illustrations represent the first visual evidence of alleged CIA interrogation techniques to be included in the official record of the post-9/11 war crimes tribunal, offering a powerful historical document of a controversial chapter in American counter-terrorism operations.
The emergence of these drawings has reignited discussions about the ethics and effectiveness of enhanced interrogation techniques, while providing a stark visual record of practices that many human rights organizations have long condemned.