Former Guantanamo Prisoner Tariq El Sawah Passes Away

CAGE mourns the passing of Tariq El Sawah at 68, and extends our deepest condolences to his family and all those who loved him.

Tariq was held at Guantanamo Bay for nearly fifteen years without trial, subjected to torture, force-feeding, and psychological experimentation by interrogators who pushed him towards false confessions. All charges against him were dismissed in 2012, and he was cleared for release in 2015. Despite this, the US government transferred him to Sarajevo without legal status, medical care, or support. Bosnia had revoked his citizenship without court approval while he was imprisoned, leaving him stateless. He spent his final years battling severe health issues, eventually passing away in a coma.

His case is a stark testament to the enduring injustice of Guantanamo: wrongful imprisonment, deliberate abandonment, and a total absence of accountability from the states responsible for his suffering.

May Allah elevate his rank and grant him the reward of a shahid. May Allah grant patience and comfort to his family and loved ones.