Citizenship Tajikistan ISN 90 | Name Abdumuqit Vohidov | |
Charge(s) Extrajudicial detention Detained at Guantanamo Bay detention camp | ||
Abdumuqit Vohidov is a citizen of Tajikistan who was held in extrajudicial detention, for five years, in the United States' Guantanamo Bay detention camps, in Cuba. His Guantanamo Internment Serial Number was 90. Vohidov transferred to Tajikistan on February 28, 2007.
Contents
- Imprisoned by the Taliban
- Trial in Tajikistan
- McClatchy interview
- Role in the 2012 elections
- Reports Vohidov volunteered in Iraq or Syria
- John Kerry classes Vohidov a terrorist
- References
Imprisoned by the Taliban
Vohidov was one of nine former Taliban prisoners the Associated Press pointed out had gone from Taliban custody to American custody. The Taliban had accused Vohidov of spying for Russia, and imprisoned him for nearly three years. In Kandahar Airfield, he complained to Cpt. Danner that he had been housed in a more humane prison by the Taliban, where he had been given a radio, fresh fruit and proper toilet facilities.
Trial in Tajikistan
Vohidov and Rukniddin Sharipov were to stand trial in Tajikistan. They were charged with
Abdumuqit Vohidov and Rukhiddin Sharopov received sentences of 17 years on August 18, 2007. The two men were convicted of serving as mercenaries.
Carol Rosenberg, writing in the Miami Herald, on July 7, 2009, reported that Umar Abdulayev, the sole remaining Tajikistani, reported that a delegation of Tajikistani security officials threatened to retaliate against him Sharipov and Vohidov, unless they agreed to pretend to be militant jihadists, and report on real militant jihadists, following their repatriations.
McClatchy interview
On June 15, 2008 the McClatchy News Service published articles based on interviews with 66 former Guantanamo captives. McClatchy reporters interviewed Airat Vakhitov by telephone. Vohidov told his interviewers he was suffering ongoing mental problems, and that he was worried that if interviewers visited him in person he would be punished by Russian security officials.
Vohidov was an imam in Tatarstan, who was imprisoned following a general round-up when Russian officials were cracking down on Chechens. He was temporarily freed, and fled Russia when he learned that security officials were looking for him. He said he was kidnapped by the forces of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, and eventually transported to Afghanistan, against his will.
Role in the 2012 elections
Bridget McCormack, a candidate for a seat on the Michigan Supreme Court helped defend Vohitov, and in 2012 the Judicial Crisis Network broadcast an advertisement which criticized her for "freeing a terrorist." Andrew Rosenthal, of the New York Times criticized the ad. The ad contained footage of Teri Johnson, the mother of Joseph Johnson, a GI who was killed in Afghanistan, who says:
“My son is a hero and fought to protect us. ... Bridget McCormack volunteered to help free a terrorist. How could you?”
Rosenthal pointed out that Vohitov was freed through the non-judicial review, through the Office for the Administrative Review of Detained Enemy Combatants in 2007. He also questioned whether Vohitov was a "terrorist".
Reports Vohidov volunteered in Iraq or Syria
In 2016 reports emerged that Vohidov had volunteered to fight in Iraq.
John Kerry classes Vohidov a terrorist
On June 29, 2016, Secretary of State John Kerry, citing Executive Order 13224, classed Vohidov as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist.