CIA Torture Victim Zubaydah Hopes to Talk on His Case in Court at Gitmo

Abu Zubaydah, a Saudi-born detainee at the US military detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, is optimistic about the chance to have his case heard in front of a court even though he has been detained for 14 years, defense attorney Patrick Flor told Sputnik.

GUANTANAMO BAY NAVAL BASE (Sputnik), Joanne Stocker — On Thursday, Zubaydah was scheduled to testify in front of the US military commission at Guantanamo Bay, but defense counsel cancelled his testimony at the last minute, citing the possibility that a government prosecutor would ask incriminating questions.

"I think he has a positive outlook and thinks — someday — his chance to speak will come forward," Flor stated on Thursday. "How long that’s going to take is a question that neither one of us can answer, but he does maintain a certain level of optimism, which you have to. There’s no other way you can keep your sanity."

Zubaydah’s lawyer would have objected to such questions, possibly causing his client’s entire testimony to be struck from the record.

Earlier, Flor told reporters that the court visit would have been the first time in 14 years that Zubaydah was seen by members of the public.

Flor emphasized that Zubaydah should address incriminating issues at his own trial with proper legal preparation.

According to a US Senate report on the Central Intelligence Agency’s (CIA) interrogation techniques, Zubaydah was subjected to mental and physical torture, including waterboarding. He lost his left eye while in CIA custody.

The US government has never charged Zubaydah with a crime.