U.S. Military Takes Custody of Al Qaeda Leader

The Department of Defense announced today that it took custody Abd al-Hadi al-Iraqi, a high-level member of al-Qaida captured in the War on Terror and placed him under control of the Joint Task Force at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Prior to his arrival at Guantanamo Bay, he was held in CIA custody.

Abd al-Hadi al-Iraqi was one of al-Qaida's highest-ranking and experienced senior operatives at the time of his detention.Abd al-Hadi associated with leaders of extremist groups allied with al-Qaida in Afghanistan and Pakistan, including the Taliban. Abd al-Hadi worked directly with the Taliban to determine responsibility and lines of communication between Taliban and al-Qaida leaders in Afghanistan, specifically with regard to the targeting of U.S. Forces.More details of his background and activities are available at http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Apr2007/d20070427hvd.pdf .

Abd al-Hadi al-Iraqi is now under DoD custody and control and will be treated appropriately and in accordance with policy and procedures for other DoD detainees at Guantanamo. He will be treated in accordance with U.S. law and international obligations under treaties to include the Convention Against Torture, Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions, the Detainee Treatment Act, the Military Commissions Act, and applicable Department of Defense directives and instructions governing detainee operations.

Just like previous detainees who have arrived at Guantanamo, he will undergo a period of in-processing to help him adjust to detention rules and procedures. He will be given an internment serial number and will undergo a combatant status review tribunal. The International Committee of the Red Cross will be granted access to this detainee.

As a result of this latest transfer, there are now approximately 385 detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

The Fourth Rail Has More: Senior Al Qaeda operative Abd al-Hadi al-Iraqi captured