Two Malaysians in Guantanamo await return, pending diplomatic efforts

Kuala Lumpur: Two Malaysians who have been held in Guantanamo Bay detention camp for 21 years in relation to the 2002 Bali bombings, which claimed 202 lives, are finally set to be released. However, the exact date of their return home is dependent on diplomatic negotiations between Malaysia and the United States.

Mohamad Farik Amin, 48, and Mohammed Nazir Lep, 47, were arrested in Thailand in 2003 but remained in custody without facing trial until 2024. In a recent development, both men agreed to plea bargains at Guantanamo Bay, admitting to being accessories to the terrorist attacks in Bali. They were sentenced to five years in prison after a brief trial overseen by US military judge Lt Col Wesley A. Braun.

As part of their plea agreements, Mohamad Farik and Mohammed Nazir will testify against Encep Nurjaman, also known as Hambali, the mastermind behind the Bali bombings and former leader of the Jemaah Islamiyah movement linked to Al-Qaeda.

The possibility of the Malaysians’ early release, likely by 2029 or sooner, is now being discussed. They have been held in various CIA facilities in the US since 2003 and in Guantanamo since 2006.

In an exclusive email response to Bernama, Christine Funk, lead counsel for Mohamad Farik, shared insights into her client’s case and the challenges he has faced. She mentioned ongoing discussions between his legal team and the Malaysian government regarding his potential repatriation.

Funk expressed her client’s eagerness to put this difficult chapter behind him and return home at the earliest opportunity, conveying hope for a positive resolution in the near future.

She also highlighted the trauma Mohamad Farik endured, including physical abuse and torture, as well as years of isolation from his family and the Malaysian authorities. Following his capture, he was taken to secret CIA black sites where he was subjected to harsh interrogation methods.

Describing the harsh conditions her client endured, Funk detailed instances where he was placed in stress positions, exposed to light and white noise, and deprived of basic needs like hygiene and proper meals. These practices, once conducted by CIA operatives, have been condemned globally as inhumane.

Despite being granted limited communication privileges in recent years, Mohamad Farik and Mohammed Nazir remain secluded from other prisoners as they begin serving their sentences. Reports indicate that they may require rehabilitation upon their return home.

Bernama attempted to reach out to Mohammed Nazir’s lead counsel, Brian Bouffard, for additional information about his client’s situation in Guantanamo Bay, but has yet to receive a response.

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