Freed Iran envoy says CIA tortured him

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Freed Iran envoy says CIA tortured him

12 minutes ago

TEHRAN, Iran - An Iranian diplomat freed two months after being
abducted in Iraq accused the CIA of torturing him during his
detention, state television reported Saturday.

Jalal Sharafi said the CIA questioned him about Iran's relations with
Iraq and assistance to various Iraqi groups, according to state
television.

"Once they heard my response that Iran merely has official relations
with the Iraqi government and officials, they intensified tortures and
tortured me through different methods days and nights," he said.

Sharafi was seized Feb. 4 by uniformed gunmen in Karradah, a Shiite-
controlled district of Baghdad. He was freed on Tuesday.

-snip-

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070407/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iran_diplomat

[aquart]

1. George really wanted that excuse for war, didn't he?

What's painful is that there is absolutely no reason not to believe this statement.

[youngdem]

2. This should go over well in Iran

Good thing those UK soldiers were released before this story hit the wire, eh?

It is pathetically sad that our government stands out as animals in comparison to our supposed enemies.

[flyarm]

3. wow doesn't that make us all feel proud!! ..not!!...eom

[bemildred]

4. Who are you going to believe?

We have dueling tortured and released "detainees".

[saigon68]

5. Just a little waterboard fun

[bemildred]

6. "Aggressive interrogation". Nothing illegal about it.

Everybody does it. No organ failures. Blah blah blah.

[crikkett]

7. were the brits tortured? or were they just threatened with Jail?

[Eugene]

8. The sailors say they were stripped, bound, blindfolded, and isolated.

Imagine Gitmo with a more refined technique.

[CJCRANE]

12. The Brits were given pajamas...

I don't know if that's a good or bad thing...

:shrug:

[yava]

15. Eugene, thats not all they said

I watched the released Brits on CNN. While they did say they were bound and blindfolded..., they also said they were treated "humainely". If you didn' watch, check it out. If you did, you are dishonest and disinforming.

[yava]

17. I've been thinkingabout the why!

The Brits and the Iranians armed forces have been working there on different sides for years and the waters are not clearly marked.
So, why now this capture of Brits by Iranians. It seems to me that we could connect the dots as follows:
Some say US+allies plan an attack on Iran soon. The capability of Iranians to slip up to the Brits and arrest them, say in Iraq waters, is like saying we can creep up to you any where and when we wish, in the Gulf and blow us up if needed.
Why is no one conisdering this here or in the MSM?

[Igel]

18. The "we can wreak havoc anytime we want"

sort of explanation made it into the MSM to a small extent. But with so many competing explanations (let's not dignify them with the term "analyses") it was hard to notice.

[ShortnFiery]

19. They were changing clothes right after they stripped (all guys) and their lives were not threatened.

Except for the showing of pictures of the Brit hostages and the making of the Propaganda videos, the Iranian Interrogators followed The Geneva Conventions. :wow:

Doesn't that piss off those who would love to say that The Brit Sailors were tortured?

The police can legally lie to you during a criminal interrogation, that's nothing new. ;)

The Iranian leadership outsmarted our Unitary Executive. Albeit they are cruel and use torture on their suspected criminals, in essence, they treated these hostages with great care. They did it for propaganda and to make The American Government look bad.

The were successful because our Unitary Executive does not know the meaning of international diplomacy. :(

[crikkett]

33. I for one was happy to see them filmed because I found it reassuring.

They were alive and well (enough.)

The Iranians did indeed outsmart the US.

I think they did it to get their diplomats back from US custody. But I'm just guessing from the sidelines. This must be what it's like to watch football.

[Eugene]

9. U.S. Denies Iranian Claim of CIA Torture

Source: Associated Press

U.S. Denies Iranian Claim of CIA Torture


Saturday April 7, 2007 4:31 PM

AP Photo VAH104, VAH103, VAH106

By ALI AKBAR DAREINI

Associated Press Writer

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - An Iranian diplomat freed two months after being
abducted in Iraq accused the CIA of torturing him during his detention,
state television reported Saturday. The United States immediately denied
any involvement in the Iranian's disappearance or release.

-snip-

“As we have said repeatedly, we were not involved in the abduction,
detention or release of this individual,” Lou Fintor, the U.S. Embassy
spokesman in Baghdad, said Saturday.

In the report Saturday read by a newscaster, Sharafi, second secretary
at the Iranian embassy in Baghdad, said he was kidnapped by agents of an
Iraqi organization operating under CIA supervision and was badly tortured.

State television said signs of torture were still visible on Sharafi, who
is being treated at an Iranian hospital. Images of Sharafi were not shown.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6539962,00.html

[IndianaGreen]

10. Thousands of people released from US military custody have complained of torture

and abuse at the hands of American personnel. All of them, without exception, have made credible statements when they returned to their native countries about the mistreatment they received from American troops and intelligence agents.

Our government, the same one that issues lame denials of torture and abuse, is still adhering to the deluded belief that Saddam was involved in 9-11. Who do you believe, Bush or Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International?

[bemildred]

16. You notice how he parses it down to just "this individual"?

No blanket denials that we would do such a thing ...

[Kagemusha]

11. The fun thing is, why should anyone believe the US now?

I know they're saying "well the Iraqis held him". Yes, and I'm sure Egypt held lots of people on behalf of the CIA. Lots of countries did. Isn't it funny that Iran could put out 100% complete lies and no one has any real incentive other than blind patriotism or blind hatred of Iran to disbelieve Iran's statements out of hand?

[Miss Chybil]

14. You're right. Noone will ever believe US again. Thanks George. nt

[RacingBobbie]

13. Next thing that the CIA will do...

is start killing people while torturing them and get rid of their bodies.
I would be afraid if I got arrested by the CIA.

[Peace Patriot]

20. The "next thing"? There were dead bodies in the Abu Ghraib photos, so

torture/killing has already occurred. And we simply don't know what has happened to prisoners flown round the world to secret prisons, or to Guantanamo Bay, Abu Ghraib and other places. We don't know all their names. We don't know why they were arrested. We don't know their fate. We only know what George Bush chooses to tell us.

And here is something else to consider: Do we really believe that Bush, Cheney & Co. are torturing and killing prisoners, and holding them indefinitely without charge, to "keep us safe"? I don't. In my opinion, they have no interest in the safety of the American people. So, why ARE they doing these things? To eliminate witnesses to other Bushite crimes? To interrogate/torture/kill potential whistleblowers? As a favor to business pals, who need someone eliminated? To track down everyone involved in dirty Bushite money trails? I don't trust their motives one bit. The secrecy, the anonymity, the unaccountability, the failure to bring charges...these tell you everything you need to know, really. These are the tools of tyrants, and have been since time immemorial. Secret torture chambers = tyranny. And the purpose is ALWAYS to protect the tyrant's power and wealth. It is NEVER to protect other people.

Bush, Cheney & Co. have been lying to us from day one, on every issue. Why would we think that they wouldn't lie about this?

[Heidi]

21. Kick.

:kick:

[Hissyspit]

22. CIA Tortured Me In Iraq, Claims Freed Iranian Diplomat

Source: Guardian

CIA tortured me in Iraq, claims freed Iranian diplomat

Allegations spark fresh speculation of secret deal

Robert Tait in Tehran and Gaby Hinsliff
Sunday April 8, 2007
The Observer

An Iranian diplomat who was freed last week, two months after being seized in Iraq, said yesterday that he had been tortured by the CIA while in captivity at an Iraqi government installation.
The claims by Jalal Sharafi on Iranian state television will lead to fresh speculation that the diplomat was freed as part of a deal to secure Wednesday's release of 15 British servicemen seized by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.

The allegations also come amid continuing political fall-out over the two-week hostage crisis in both London and Tehran, with both Iran's President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and Prime Minister Tony Blair being criticised for their behaviour during the stand-off.

Read more: http://politics.guardian.co.uk/foreignaffairs/story/0,,2052599,00.html

[DRoseDARs]

23. Given he's a diplomat, I find it a little harder to believe his claim...

It's one thing to torture a soldier or an insurgent, it's wholly another to torture a top government official from a country whose military is one of the Top Ten largest in the world. I'm not certain anyone (even in the torture-happy climate fostered by this administration) would be THAT stupid. Also, given Iran's "frosty" 30-year relationship with the US, well, one ought to have a large grain of salt on hand when listening to such claims.

[orleans]

24. so then we DIDN'T torture him? just like we DIDN'T swap him for

the 15 british sailors?

"I'm not certain anyone (even in the torture-happy climate fostered by this administration) would be THAT stupid."







(i could go on...but i won't)

[DRoseDARs]

27. Hyperventilate and put words into others' mouths all you like; won't change my opinion. n/t

[orleans]

31. i asked you 2 questions and QUOTED you--i wouldn't exactly

call that putting "words into others' mouths"

apparently you would call it that

obviously we don't think alike

[DRoseDARs]

34. "just like we DIDN'T swap him for the 15 british sailors?" You remember saying that?

'Cause I know I sure as hell didn't.

[orleans]

37. i wasn't quoting you there--i was asking you a freakin question

[DRoseDARs]

38. No? Well now you're just splitting hairs. If you're looking for a "yes" or "no" answer...

...go talk to a conservative. They're incapable of seeing the world in anything other than black and white. I've already made my opinion clear, you're just being dense and reactionary.

Oh, and the Red Cross says the Iranians taken January 11th are fine in case you were wondering or care:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x606768
http://www.turkishweekly.net/news.php?id=44137

[Demeter]

25. Believe It

BushCo gives morons a bad name.

[mikelgb]

30. haven't been out much during the Bush admin

have you?

[DRoseDARs]

35. I've been paying attention since the 2000 debacle, but thanks for your concern. n/t

[Canuckistanian]

32. Not sure if I understand you

Why is a diplomat less believable than a soldier or a citizen insurgent?

[DRoseDARs]

36. You miss my meaning: A high-ranking official is less likely to be abused than a lower peon...

...despite both claiming the same thing. A soldier's claim would be more believable because less is risked in torturing him. More damage is done to international relations when government officials fall victim, and the CIA is still smart enough to know that, hence my finding this diplomat's claim to be dubious. We already have a well-established pattern of abuse upon soldiers and insurgents (and the rare actual terrorist) captured in this phony War on Terror, but to take captive a high-level official from a country we are not at war with is different. We know the Bush Administration is jonesing for war with Iran, we know they approached Britain offering to help (in the worst possible way, fucking jackasses), and we know the Brits told Bush to sit back and shut up. I'd like to believe they'd raise a stink if they knew the diplomat had been tortured. It's not like Tony Blair handled the hostage crisis all by himself. Other people had to be involved and they all see the writing on the wall with regards to the UK's involvement in Iraq. I don't think they'd be too pleased with Bush if they found themselves connected in any way to abuse of the diplomat. It's a good way to strain relations between two long-time staunch allies.

[Dhalgren]

26. The United States is now a torturing country, like the old Soviet Union

and Iraq used to be and China, North Korea, and Syria are today. It no longer matters whether a particular claim is true or not, everyone knows the US tortures, so every story of torture has built-in credibility. I believe, without any doubt, that any Iranian in US custody would be tortured, if it was thought that said Iranian had any information, at all. An Iranian claiming to be a diplomat, that the US authorities claim is not a diplomat, but a terrorism consultant, I believe would be tortured - so I believe the claims of this Iranian until they can be proved false, which, of course, they won't be...

[keopeli]

28. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to say that the US doesn't torture people? n/t

[DRoseDARs]

29. That's why we have investigations and should not take things at face value.

When word first got out about the crimes of conscience being committed in our name in Cuba and Iraq with regards to prisoners, many otherwise reasonable people didn't believe. Only after investigating evidence was the truth revealed that this administration approved of methods that either are or are tantamount to torture. Either way, our nation should not be utilizing or condoning them. If this diplomat's accusations have merit, he needs to submit to an investigation by the UN or other third party. A US-conducted investigation will ring hollow to much of the world and the results of an Iranian investigation are a forgone conclusion.

[KansDem]

39. Let's see: we don't believe the 15 Brits because they were tortured to "confess"

...but we should believe the confession of any Iraqi or Iranian that came about from...torture?

This is all very confusing to me! :crazy:

[Supersedeas]

40. Nothing to see here--feed them more manufactured outrage over Pelosi in Syria

[struggle4progress]

41. Iranian envoy wounds 'confirmed' (BBC)

Last Updated: Wednesday, 11 April 2007, 09:44 GMT 10:44 UK

The head of the International Red Cross in Tehran says he saw wounds on an Iranian diplomat who has alleged that US forces in Iraq tortured him.

Peter Stoeker said there were marks on Jalal Sharafi's feet, legs, back and nose but he was unable to say if they were the result of torture.

Iranian media quoted Mr Sharafi saying the CIA tortured him "day and night".

Mr Sharafi was abducted in Iraq in February and released last week. The US denies any involvement in the case. ~snip~

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6544055.stm