Pakistan moves jailed doctor who helped track bin Laden

rooster59 · April 29, 2018

Pakistan moves jailed doctor who helped track bin Laden

By Jibran Ahmad

FILE PHOTO: A roadside vendor sells newspapers with headlines about the death of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, in Lahore May 3, 2011. REUTERS/Mohsin Raza/File Photo

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (Reuters) - Pakistani prison authorities have moved the jailed doctor believed to have helped the CIA hunt down Osama bin Laden, his attorney said on Saturday, speculating it could be a prelude to his release.

The continued imprisonment of Dr. Shakil Afridi has long been a source of tension between Pakistan and the United States, which cut military aid over accusations Pakistan continues to shelter Taliban militants fighting U.S. and Afghan soldiers across the border in Afghanistan.

A jail official in the northwestern city of Peshawar told Reuters on condition of anonymity that Afridi had been transferred to Adiala prison in Rawalpindi, near the capital Islamabad, but said the reasons were unclear and could simply be security-related.

Afridi’s lawyer, Qamar Nadeem, confirmed the transfer of his client but said he was not sure where he was now. Judicial officials could not be reached on Saturday, nor could embassy officials for the United States, which has for years called on Pakistan to release Afridi.

Afridi was accused of treason after word spread he had helped the CIA collect genetic samples of the bin Laden family, paving the way for a U.S. Navy SEAL raid in 2011 in the town of Abbottabad that killed the al Qaeda leader accused of plotting the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on the United States that killed nearly 3,000 people.

He was arrested days after the U.S. operation - which Pakistan called a violation of its sovereignty - and charged with aiding terrorists.

Afridi was sentenced to 23 years' jail for financing terrorism. That conviction was overturned in 2013, but he is still serving time for other terrorism-related convictions, his lawyer said.

He also faced a murder trial related to the death of a patient more than a decade ago.

However, the layer said Afridi had recently had his latest sentence reduced to seven years in a clemency action, and had served about that amount of time already.

"So I think he can be released very soon," Nadeem told Reuters.

There were no other immediate indications of any release in the works, however.

A U.S. State Department official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, called on the Pakistani government to ensure Afridi's safety.

"We are aware ‎of reports that Dr. Afridi has been transferred to another prison, and call on the Government of Pakistan to take all necessary measures to ensure Dr. Afridi's safety," the official said.

"We don't have anything else at this time and would refer you to the government of Pakistan as to the reasons for his transfer," the official added.

In January 2017, Pakistan's then-law minister said the country would not release Afridi under any U.S. pressure.

“Afridi worked against the law and our national interest, and the Pakistan government has repeatedly been telling the United States that under our law he committed a crime and was facing the law,” Zahid Hamid was quoted as saying at the time.

geriatrickid · April 29, 2018

The man should not have been imprisoned. Pakistan was reprehensible for having done this, but at least it settled the issue as to whether or not it supported Bin Laden and the Taliban. Pakistan is certainly no friend of the west's. The USA and other western nations should not be giving aid to Pakistan.

boomerangutang · April 29, 2018

Reprehensible that the doctor was jailed.

Perhaps Pakistan should round up and jail OBL's family members who provided DNA samples to the US - with which US forensics could compare to DNA sample that the doctor got from OBL - in order to confirm the buttplug's identity.

bristolboy · April 29, 2018

6 hours ago, boomerangutang said:

Reprehensible that the doctor was jailed.

Perhaps Pakistan should round up and jail OBL's family members who provided DNA samples to the US - with which US forensics could compare to DNA sample that the doctor got from OBL - in order to confirm the buttplug's identity.

Actually he deserved it and worse. Under cover of a hepatitis vaccination campaign, he was actually looking for Bin Laden? How do you think that affected all the legitimate vaccination drives?.

Polio resurgence in Pakistan following backlash from CIA vaccination ruse in hunt for Osama bin Laden

Senior Pakistani health officials have welcomed a move by US intelligence agencies to stop using immunisation programs as a cover for their operations.

But the move comes amid a resurgence of polio cases in Pakistan, a country once thought to be on the verge of eradicating the deadly disease.

"It is good news. If they stick to it then it will help with convincing people that vaccines are not part of a conspiracy," Dr Nima Abid, a senior official with the World Health Organisation in Islamabad, said

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-05-27/polio-resurges-as-health-emergency-in-pakistan/5478144

observer90210 · April 29, 2018

The CIA should have exfiltrated the informant, far away from the rogue-terrorist nation that is Pakista and given him and his entire family new identities and enough money to end their days. (Ben Laden capture had a multi million dollar reward promised by the US Government)

The CIA used the chap as a kleenex, and them dumped him ?

If so, nobody will cooperate with the USA, if they behave as such and just dump their informants after use.

Edited April 29, 2018 by observer90210

bristolboy · April 29, 2018

6 minutes ago, observer90210 said:

The CIA should have exfiltrated the informant, far away from the rogue-terrorist nation that is Pakista and given him and his entire family new identities and enough money to end their days. (Ben Laden capture had a multi million dollar reward promised by the US Government)

The CIA used the chap as a kleenex, and them dumped him ?

If so, nobody will cooperate with the USA, if they behave as such and just dump their informants after use.

The CIA should never had used health care workers as catspaws in the first place. And the ones who thought up this plan and those who ran should have been jailed right alongside him.

Srikcir · April 29, 2018

51 minutes ago, observer90210 said:

The CIA should have exfiltrated the informant, far away from the rogue-terrorist nation that is Pakista and given him and his entire family new identities and enough money to end their days. (Ben Laden capture had a multi million dollar reward promised by the US Government)

The CIA used the chap as a kleenex, and them dumped him ?

If so, nobody will cooperate with the USA, if they behave as such and just dump their informants after use.

Let's try the truth:

Dr Afridi's brother, Jameel Afridi, told the media Dr Afridi was "a patriot, not a traitor", and that the vaccination campaign he conducted had been authorised by top health department officials of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
He also said that had Dr Afridi wanted to leave the country, he could have done so after Bin Laden's killing as he possessed a valid US visa.

Q&A: Bin Laden raid doctor Shakil Afridi speaks out (September 2012)

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-19560510

thaibeachlovers · April 29, 2018

Between what happened to this guy and the Afghan translator being deported to death by Britain, anyone would have to be barking to help our side in any future conflict.

Shame on those in authority allowing this to happen.

Basil B · April 29, 2018

I really fear for the safety of his family, he is a dead man walking unless the US can get him and his family out of that country where the the government is either incapable or unwilling to to man upto terrorists...

Proboscis · April 29, 2018

It all depends on who you believe.

If you believe that OBL was living without the knowledge of the Pakistanis in one of the most military cities in the country, that a couple of foreign helicopters could travel across the country unchallenged without anyone knowing, that the power cut that occurred during the raid was pure accident, that the White House was prepared to take on the enormous risks involved in such a raid, then yes, you could say that the doctor broke the law and deserved his punishment.

But if you read Seymour Hersh's book on the killing of OBL, you might believe that the Pakistanis had actually put OBL in that house under virtual house arrest, that they had a problem which was that while they had isolated him they could do nothing with him. You might also believe that it was someone senior in the Pakistani military intelligence who told the Americans about the situation and together they cooked up the plan, to organize a raid which the Pakistanis would overlook and "fail" to respond to and where OBL would be assassinated. A cover story would be concocted about a tall man walking on the roof and attempts at gaining DNA etc. And then OBL could go down fighting with a gun in his hand - no need for pesky prisoners.

So, it really depends on who you believe.

geriatrickid · April 29, 2018

When in doubt, spread unsubstantiated falsehoods;

7 hours ago, bristolboy said:

The CIA should never had used health care workers as catspaws in the first place. And the ones who thought up this plan and those who ran should have been jailed right alongside him.

You have no evidence to support your claim, and the accusation was never proven.

The CIA had other means to identify the presence of Bin Laden and did so. They had found OBL's courier and followed him.

https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/05/02/world/asia/abbottabad-

map-of-where-osama-bin-laden-was-killed.html?_r=0

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/may/02/how-osama-bin-laden-found

Even the article you cite does not state that the doctor collected dna. All it says is "is believed to have given US intelligence agents material that he obtained during the vaccination drive. It is not known if any of his actions played a direct role in bin Laden's capture." On that basis you accuse, convict and sentence the doctor and the USA.

The resistance to vaccination in pakistan is long term and has been there ever since vaccinations were first offered. The current false assumption of Pakistanis is that vaccinations were to sterilize people. Before that, it was also claimed that the polio vaccine was a jewish plot to kill muslims, because Jonas Salk who pioneered the vaccine was jewish .

geriatrickid · April 29, 2018

25 minutes ago, Proboscis said:

It all depends on who you believe.

If you believe that OBL was living without the knowledge of the Pakistanis in one of the most military cities in the country, that a couple of foreign helicopters could travel across the country unchallenged without anyone knowing, that the power cut that occurred during the raid was pure accident, that the White House was prepared to take on the enormous risks involved in such a raid, then yes, you could say that the doctor broke the law and deserved his punishment.

But if you read Seymour Hersh's book on the killing of OBL, you might believe that the Pakistanis had actually put OBL in that house under virtual house arrest, that they had a problem which was that while they had isolated him they could do nothing with him. You might also believe that it was someone senior in the Pakistani military intelligence who told the Americans about the situation and together they cooked up the plan, to organize a raid which the Pakistanis would overlook and "fail" to respond to and where OBL would be assassinated. A cover story would be concocted about a tall man walking on the roof and attempts at gaining DNA etc. And then OBL could go down fighting with a gun in his hand - no need for pesky prisoners.

So, it really depends on who you believe.

Hersh's claim was quickly debunked and does not even support the claim of the doctor having collected dna. This chap takes rebuts Hersh very nicely.

https://www.vox.com/2015/5/11/8584473/seymour-hersh-osama-bin-laden

bristolboy · April 30, 2018

7 hours ago, geriatrickid said:

When in doubt, spread unsubstantiated falsehoods;

You have no evidence to support your claim, and the accusation was never proven.

The CIA had other means to identify the presence of Bin Laden and did so. They had found OBL's courier and followed him.

https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/05/02/world/asia/abbottabad-

map-of-where-osama-bin-laden-was-killed.html?_r=0

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/may/02/how-osama-bin-laden-found

Even the article you cite does not state that the doctor collected dna. All it says is "is believed to have given US intelligence agents material that he obtained during the vaccination drive. It is not known if any of his actions played a direct role in bin Laden's capture." On that basis you accuse, convict and sentence the doctor and the USA.

The resistance to vaccination in pakistan is long term and has been there ever since vaccinations were first offered. The current false assumption of Pakistanis is that vaccinations were to sterilize people. Before that, it was also claimed that the polio vaccine was a jewish plot to kill muslims, because Jonas Salk who pioneered the vaccine was jewish .

First off, the question of what method succeeded in finding Bin Laden is entirely irrelevant. It's the attempt that counts.

In addition

7 hours ago, geriatrickid said:

When in doubt, spread unsubstantiated falsehoods;

You have no evidence to support your claim, and the accusation was never proven.

The CIA had other means to identify the presence of Bin Laden and did so. They had found OBL's courier and followed him.

https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/05/02/world/asia/abbottabad-

map-of-where-osama-bin-laden-was-killed.html?_r=0

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/may/02/how-osama-bin-laden-found

Even the article you cite does not state that the doctor collected dna. All it says is "is believed to have given US intelligence agents material that he obtained during the vaccination drive. It is not known if any of his actions played a direct role in bin Laden's capture." On that basis you accuse, convict and sentence the doctor and the USA.

The resistance to vaccination in pakistan is long term and has been there ever since vaccinations were first offered. The current false assumption of Pakistanis is that vaccinations were to sterilize people. Before that, it was also claimed that the polio vaccine was a jewish plot to kill muslims, because Jonas Salk who pioneered the vaccine was jewish .

No evidence? Really?

Panetta Credits Pakistani Doctor in Bin Laden Raid

"Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta has confirmed publicly for the first time that an imprisoned doctor in Pakistan was working with the C.I.A. to gain access to Osama bin Laden’s compound in the months before American troops killed Bin Laden last May...

Mr. Panetta is the first American official to publicly confirm that a Pakistani doctor imprisoned by Pakistan’s intelligence service in the days after the Bin Laden raid had been working for the C.I.A., collecting intelligence in Abbottabad. American officials have said that the doctor, Shikal Afridi, had been running a phony hepatitis B vaccination program as a ruse to obtain DNA evidence from members of Bin Laden’s family, who were thought to be holed up in the Abbottabad compound. "

https://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/29/world/asia/panetta-credits-pakistani-doctor-in-bin-laden-raid.html

Srikcir · April 30, 2018

3 hours ago, bristolboy said:

Shikal Afridi, had been running a phony hepatitis B vaccination program as a ruse

"the campaign that Afridi ran was in fact authentic. Banners and posters announcing the immunizations were plastered around town. Women from the Lady Health Workers, an organization tasked with immunizing children and women across Pakistan, went door-to-door administering genuine doses of hepatitis vaccine."

https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/02/150227-polio-pakistan-vaccination-taliban-osama-bin-laden/

So Afridi used a legitimate vaccination program, albeit as a ruse in part, to gain entry to the suspected Bin Laden compound.

Proboscis · April 30, 2018

14 hours ago, geriatrickid said:

Hersh's claim was quickly debunked and does not even support the claim of the doctor having collected dna. This chap takes rebuts Hersh very nicely.

https://www.vox.com/2015/5/11/8584473/seymour-hersh-osama-bin-laden

Ah, yes, it depends on who you believe.

But lets get it clear. There are people out there who believe that the doctor was running a bone fide program and was the fall guy. This fits Hersh's version of events better than the official version.

Yes it depends on who you believe but I have always wondered how the hell those choppers were able to go across a large stretch of Pakistan to a military city, carry out a raid, have an accident and get away without even a blip on the radar, soldiers from the base down the road coming to check out what was doing on - no scramble of jets? Really?

Of course none of this means that it did not happen the way that the autorities sayit did but we are surely missing a big piece of the story as to why the Pakistanis did not respond. That and how did OBL manage to live in a military town where there would have been large numbers of intelligence officers and trainers and no one knew? So many missing pieces. So many people satisfied with such a thin explanation.

Srikcir · April 30, 2018

23 minutes ago, Proboscis said:

Ah, yes, it depends on who you believe.

Maybe this will help:

Osama Bin Laden's death: How it happened (September 10, 2012)

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-13257330

Osama bin Laden monitored for months before raid (May 6, 2011)

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/may/06/osama-bin-laden-monitored-months-before-raid

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