Guantanamo Detainee Profile

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27 OCTOBER 2015 GUANTANAMO DETAINEE PROFILE

DetaineeISN: PK-

Detainee ISN PK - 1094

DetaineeName SaifullahAbdullah Paracha

DetaineeAliases SayfParacha; SharafuddinShamim

Nationality Pakistani

Date of Birth 17 August1947

Arrival at Guantanamo September 2004

Saifullah Paracha ( PK - 1094) was a Pakistan -based businessman and facilitator on behalf of al - Qaida senior leaders and operational planners. He met Usama Bin Ladin in the early 2000s and later worked with external operations chief Khalid Shaykh Muhammad (KU- 10024) to facilitate financial transactions and to develop media In 2003 , Paracha and his US - based oldest son, Uzair, tried to help an al-Qa'ida operative travel to the US — an effort for which Uzair was convicted in November 2005 and is now serving a 30 -year sentence inthe US. Prior to his detention , Paracha also conducted research on CBRN materials, probably on his own initiative, and offered operational suggestions to al- , including advice on how to smuggle explosives into the US that al - planners probably did not take seriously .

Since his arrival at Guantanamo, Paracha has shown no indicationofextremist sympathies in his interrogations, interactionswith other detainees and guard staff. However, he also has shown no remorse for havingworked with al-Qa'ida before his detention. While inGuantanamo, Paracha has been very compliant withthe detention staff and espouses moderate views and acceptance of Western norms.He has focused on improvingcell block conditions and helpingsome detainees improve their English-language and business skills. Paracha regularly participated in interrogations until early 2015 and has offered some informationabout al- operatives but generally has avoided incriminatinghimself or Uzair, his son. Paracha continues to deny that he knew of any al Qa'ida plottingand claims he undertook his terrorist activities for profit ratherthan out ofloyalty to the group.

Paracha probably would consider relocating to an English speaking country and has expressed interest in returning to the US, where he attended graduate school and livedthroughout the 1970s and early 1980s. If he returned to Pakistan, Paracha probably would resume running the family businesses and would seek out opportunities to begin new ventures . However , the extensive extremist business contacts he established before his detention — which also include members ofthe Taliban and Lashkar -e -Tayyiba provide him opportunities to reengage in extremist activity should he choose to do so. While at Guantanamo, he befriended former detainee Jarallah al-Marri ( QA - 334 ), who had ties to AQAP and possibly ISIL .

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PERIODIC REVIEW BOARD , MARCH 8 , 2016 SAIFULLAH ABDULLAH PARACHA (ISN 1094)

OPENINGSTATEMENTOF PRIVATECOUNSELDAVIDH.REMES

Good morning. I am David Remes, private counsel for Saifullah Abdullah Paracha. Mr.

Paracha is a citizen of Pakistan. At 68, he is the oldest remaining Guantánamo detainee. I have represented him since 2005 and speak frequently with his family in Pakistan and America .

Mr. Paracha respectfully asks that the Board recommend him for transfer. He wishes to bebrought either to Pakistan or America . In Pakistan, he will reunite withhis wife of36 years, andtheir two daughtersand largeextendedfamily, rebuildhis businessesandbuildnewones, and live a normal peaceful life. InAmerica, he and hiswifewill live normal lives among their large contingent of relatives here, who include one ofhis brothers, one of his sisters, his two sons, and 22 nieces and nephews.

Whereverhe goes, Mr.Paracha, who suffersfrom chronicmedicalconditions, will require medical observation and care .

Mr.Paracha iscertainly well prepared for life in America or any other English -speaking country. He lived in the U.S.from 1970 to 1986 andmarried here. Born into extreme poverty in

a remote Punjab village in 1947, he came to America when he was 24 and became a successful businessman. He owned travel agencies which facilitated travel between the U.S. and Pakistan,

and he produced a weekly television program for the Pakistani population in New Jersey.

When Mr. Paracha returned to Pakistan in 1986, he and an American partner established

an export - import business, which acted as a buying agent inPakistan for American retail giants ,

suchas WalMart- and K -Mart, placingorders for garments and other merchandisemade in Pakistan.Mr.Parachaalso set up a televisionproductioncompany, whichproducedplays and

programs designed to promote religious harmony .

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Mr. Paracha is fluent in English and avidly follows the news inthe English -language news media. Mr. Paracha does not speak Arabic. He often beats me to the punch when we discuss political or economic developments here and abroad . Mr. Paracha also has faith that the

United States can play a constructiverole in world affairs. Amongthe items we submitted to the

Board are pre- 9 /11 letters that he wrote to President George W. Bush and former President

GeorgeH.W.Bushproposingways to bridgethe dividebetweenthe Westernand Arab worlds.

Mr.Paracha is and has always been a model detainee. He has always been held in quartersreservedforthe mostcompliantdetainees. Remarkably, hehas stayedcheerful and upbeatdespitehis unfortunatecircumstances. Guardsand camp officialsenjoy his company, and he always talked freely and openly with his interrogators . Of course, Mr. Paracha cannot show

" remorse for things he maintains he never did.

Mr. Parachahas been an enormously positive influence on other detainees. Other detainees callhim Uncle," a term of great respect for male elders, and seek out his advice. Wise and understanding, he discourages conflict and calms detainees when they are agitated. He promotesharmonyamongreligions. Hetaughtclasses in businessadministrationand English.

Once, when other facilitieswere unavailable, he set up class in a cell.

Mr. Paracha also counseled cooperation with the government in the judicial and administrativereview process. When the SupremeCourt in 2004 gave detainees the green light to pursuehabeascorpus cases, Mr. Paracha urged his fellowsto accepthelp from the American lawyers. When the Periodic ReviewBoard opened for business in July 2013, he urged them to participate inthe process.

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Saifullah Paracha harbors no animosity to the U.S. On the contrary , he has many family members here and is willing to be resettled here. Once, when asked ifhe is half -Pakistani and half- American, he replied that he is entirely Pakistani and entirely American. Nor does Mr.

Paracha have any sympathy for terrorism or radical Islam . On the contrary, he has publicly denouncedterrorism as un-Islamicandwill continueto speak against it, wherever he is sent.

Model detainee. Mentor to younger detainees . Counselor of tolerance , understanding, and cooperation . Paterfamilias of a great extended family, with members in Pakistan and America. A manat home in the U.S. and at ease with Western culture andways. A man who opposes and denouncesviolent extremism . This man, SaifullahParacha, is no threat to the UnitedStates, and the Boardshouldrecommendhim for transfer.

Thankyou.

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PERIODIC REVIEW BOARD INITIAL HEARING, 08 MAR2016 SAIFULLAHABDULLAHPARACHA, ISN1094 PERSONALREPRESENTATIVEOPENINGSTATEMENT

Good morning, we are the Personal Representativesfor Saifullah Abdullah Paracha, a 68 year old man who has always been an exemplary detainee evident inboth his behavior for fellow detainees and towards the administration. As the Personal Representatives for Saifullah, we can account that he has attended every meeting, been prepared and readily willing to participate throughout this process. In addition, he has persuaded other detainees to participate in the PRB process inorder to sagaciously participate in their own PRB allowing a better process. He has a calm demeanor. His consistent character demonstrates he will remainthe same peaceful and stable person outside of GTMO.

Saifullah would be the first to tell you that he has no problem with the United States. His ability to speak both English and Urdu has enabled him to teach other detainees as well as be a mediator between fellow Urdu speaking detainees allowing communications in a closed off community . As one of the oldest detainee in Guantanamo, many ofhis peers look to him for guidance and even consider Saifullah a father figure. He hopes that his transfer from Guantanamo will make up for the lost years of his life. Saifullah wants nothing more than to return to his loving wife and children . He is willing to be transferred to any country in order to move on with his life.

Saifullah was an extremely successful businessman and once he is transferred , he wants to continue his business . He has the skill set and talent to be successful in whatever country he is repatriated. Additionally , his family is ready to supply support wherever this may be, although they would like him to return to Pakistan to be the head -of-household for both his wife and kids, who will rely on him.

Saifullah has not expressed any ill will or anger about his detention at Guantanamo . He has denounced terrorist acts and organizations. Saifullah hopes today that you will find he is not a threat to the U.S. by answering your questions so he can return home.

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This Periodic Review Board is being conducted at 0900 hours on 08 March 2016 , with regard to the following detainee Saifullah

Paracha, ISN 1094 .

As a reminder , the unclassified portions of these proceedings are being recorded for the purpose of generating a transcript to be posted on the PRS website.

Representatives from the following agencies are present and are members of the Board

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE;

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ;

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE; AND

OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF .

The following personnel are also present :

LEGAL ADVISOR TO THE BOARD ;

CASE ADMINISTRATORS ;

PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES ;

A TRANSLATOR ;

THE DETAINEE ; AND

SECURITY OFFICER.

The detainee's Personal Representatives , Private Counsel , and

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the detainee are located at the detention facility, Naval

Station Guantanamo Bay Cuba . They are attending via video teleconference. This session is being observed by foreign, national, and local media, Foreign Government Officials and representatives from Non -Governmental agencies [ sic] .

PM : Good good morning . Does the detainee wish to waive translation of the entire hearing, including the unclassified summary ... unclassified written statements provided by the Personal

Representatives, and Private Counsel, and the detainee statement?

PR 1 Yes, Ma'am. The detainee wishes to waive translation .

PM : Thank you . Regarding translation during the hearing, then, all parties are going to proceed in English due to the detainee's proficiency. The Board is called to order. The Board is convened to determine whether continued law of war detention is warranted for

Saifullah Parach ... Paracha , ISN 1094 , in order to protect against a continuing significant threat to the security of the United States .

From here on out , we'll refer to the detainee as Saifullah

The hearing session is unclassified .

Saifullah, this is your Periodic Review Board to determine whether continued law of war detention is warranted in your case .

Your continued law of war detention will be warranted if it is necessary to protect against a continuing significant threat to the

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national security of the United States. This focus of this hearing is on the threat you may pose to the United States and its interests if transferred or released . It is not on the lawfulness of your detention.

The Personal Representativesand Private Counsel are your representativesto assist you during this process.

Personal Representatives and Private Counsel, has the detainee had an opportunity to review the unclassified summary ?

PC: Yes , Ma'am.

PM: All right. I'll read the unclassified summary :

Saifullah Paracha, ISN 1094 , was a Pakistan- based businessman and facilitator on behalf of al- Qaeda senior leaders and operational planners. He met Osama Bin Ladin in the early 2000s and later worked with external operations chief Khalid Sheikh Mohammad, ISN- 10024, to facilitate financial transactions and develop media. In 2003

Saifullah and his U.S. - based oldest son , Uzair , tried to help an al

Qaeda operative travel to the United States, an effort for which

Uzair was convicted in November 2005 and is now serving a 30 - year sentence in the United States. Prior to his detention, Saifullah also conducted research on chemical , biological , radiological , nuclear materials, probably on his own initiative, and offered operational suggestions to al- Qaeda , including advice on how to

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smuggle explosives into the United States, that al- Qaeda planners probably did not take seriously .

Since his arrival at Guantanamo , Saifullah has shown no indication of extremist sympathies in his interrogations, interactions with other detainees and guard staff . However , he has shown no remorse for having worked with al- Qaeda before his detention. While in Guantanamo , Saifullah has been very compliant with the detention staff and espouses moderate views and acceptance of Western norms . He has focused on improving cell block conditions and helping some detainees improve their English language and business skills . Saifullah regular [ sic] participated in interrogations until 2015 and offered some information about al- Qaeda operatives , but generally has avoided incriminating himself or Uzair , his son . Saifullah continues to deny that he knew of any al- Qaeda plotting and claims he undertook his terrorist activities for profit rather than out of loyalty to the group.

Saifullah would probably consider relocating to an English speaking country and has expressed interest in returning to the

United States , where he attended graduate school and lived throughout the 1970s and early 1980s. If he returned to Pakistan, Saifullah probably would resume running the family businesses and would seek out opportunities to begin new ventures . However , the extensive

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extremist business contacts he establishedbefore his detention, which also include members of the Taliban and Lashkar - e - Tayyiba , could provide him opportunities to reengage in extremist activity should he choose to do so . While at Guantanamo , he befriended former detainee Jarallah al - Marri , ISN 334 , who had ties to al - Qaeda in the

Arabian Peninsula and possibly ISIL.

Do the Personal Representatives and Private Counsel wish to make unclassifiedopening statements at this time?

PR 1 : Yes, Ma'am.

PM : All right. I'd like to remind all participants that information shared at this time must be unclassified. If there's a concern about the classification of information , I'll indicate as such and we'll stop the proceedings until we can resolve the issue.

Has the detainee had an opportunity to review the statements?

PR 2 : Yes , Ma'am .

PM : Okay Please proceed.

PR 1 : Good morning, we are the Representatives for

SaifullahAbdullah Paracha, a 68 - year old man who has always been an exemplary detainee evident in both his behavior for fellow detainees and towards the administration. As the Personal Representatives for

Saifullah we can account that he has attended every meeting, been prepared and readily willing to participate throughout this process .

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In addition, he has persuaded other detainees to participate in the

PRB process in order to sagaciously participate in their own PRB allowing a better process . He has a calm demeanor . His consistent character demonstrates he will remain the same peaceful and stable person outside of .

Saifullah would be the first to tell you that he has no problem with the UnitedStates. His ability to speak both English and Urdu has enabled him to teach other detainees, as well as be a mediator between fellow Urdu- speaking detainees allowing communications in a closed off community. As one of the oldest detainees in Guantanamo , many of his peers look to him for guidance and even consider

Saifullah a father figure. He hopes that his transfer from

Guantanamo will make up for the lost years of his life . Saifullah wants nothing more than to return to his loving wife and children .

He is willing to be transferred to any country in order to move on with his life.

Additionally, his family is ready to supply support wherever this may be , although they would like him to return to Pakistan to be the head - of - household for both his wife and kids , who will rely on him.

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Saifullah has not expressed any ill will or anger about his detention at Guantanamo. He has denounced terrorist acts and organizations . Saifullah hopes today that you will find he is not a threat to the United States by answering your questions so that he can return home .

PM : Thank you . Private Counsel, you may proceed with your unclassified statement .

PC : Good morning I am David Remes , Private Counsel for

SaifullahAbdullah Paracha. Mr. Paracha is a citizen of Pakistan.

86... at 68 , he is the oldest remaining Guantanamo detainee. I've represented him since 2005 and speak frequently with his family in

Pakistanand America.

Mr. Paracha respectfully asks that the Board recommend him for transfer . He wishes to be brought either to Pakistan or America . In

Pakistan , he will reunite with his wife of 36 years , and their two daughters and large extended family, rebuildhis businesses and build new ones, and live a normal peaceful life. In America, he and his wife will live normal lives among their large contingent of relatives here , to include one of his brothers , one of his sisters , his two sons , and 22 nieces and nephews .

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Wherever he goes , Mr. Paracha, who suffers from chronic medical conditions , will require medical observation and care .

Mr. Paracha is certainly well prepared for life in America or any other English- speaking country . He lived in the U.S. from 1970 to 1986 and married here. Born into extreme poverty in a remote

Punjab village in 1947, he came to America when he was 24 became a successful businessman . He owned travel agencies which facilitated travel between the and Pakistan, and he produced a weekly television program for the Pakistani population in New Jersey .

When Mr. Paracha returned to Pakistan in 1986, he and an

American partner establishedan export - import business, which acted as a buying agency in Pakistan for American retail giants , such as

Wal- Mart and K - Mart, placing orders for garments and other merchandise made in Pakistan. Mr. Paracha also set up a television production company, which produced plays and programs designed to promote religious harmony .

Mr. Paracha is fluent in English and avidly follows the news in the English- language news media. Mr. Paracha does not speak Arabic .

He often beats me to the punch when we discuss political or economic developments here and abroad. Mr. Paracha also has that the

United States can play a constructive role in world affairs . Among the items we submitted to the Board are pre - 9 / 11 letters that he

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wrote to President George W. Bush and former President George H.W.

Bush proposing ways to bridge the divide between the Western and Arab worlds.

Mr. Paracha is and always has been a model detainee. He has always been held in quarters reserved for the most compliant detainees. Remarkably, he has stayed cheerful and upbeat despite his unfortunate circumstances . Guards and camp officials enjoy his company, and he always talked freely and openly with his interrogators. course, Mr. Paracha cannot show remorse for things he maintains he never did .

Mr. Paracha has been an enormously positive influence on other detainees . Other detainees call him " Uncle, " a term of great respect for male elders , and seek out his advice . Wise and understanding, he discourages conflict and calms detainees when they are agitated. He promotes harmony among religions . He taught classes in business administration and English . Once , when other facilities were unavailable, he set up class in a cell.

Mr. Paracha also counseled cooperation with the government in the judicial and administrativeprocess. When the Supreme Court , in

2004 , gave detainees the green light to pursue habeas corpus cases,

Mr. Paracha urged his fellows to accept help from the American

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lawyers . When the Periodic Review Board opened for business in July

2013 , he urged them to participate in the process .

Saifullah Paracha harbors no animosity to the U.S. On the

contrary, he has many family members here and is willing to be

resettledhere. Once, when asked if he is half- Pakistani and half

American, he replied that he is entirely Pakistani and entirely

American Nor does Mr. Paracha have any sympathy for terrorism or

radical Islam. the contrary , he has publicly denounced terrorism

as un Islamic and will continue to speak against it .

Model detainee. Mentor to younger detainees. Counselor of

tolerance , and understanding , and cooperation . Paterfamilias of a

great extended family, with members in Pakistan and America. A man

at home in the and at ease with Western culture and ways . A man who opposes and denounces violent extremism. This man , Saifullah

Paracha, is no threat to the United States, and the Board should

recommendhim for transfer.

PM : Thank you. Board Members may reserve questions until the

detainee and witness statements have been presented in their

entirety. Does any member of the Board have a question for the

Personal Representative or Counsel in this session?

[ No verbal response from the members .

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PM : With no questions, this concludes this portion of the hearing I'd ask everybody to remain seated until further instructed by the Case Administrator.

CA: We will take a 15- minute recess to prepare for the

remaining sessions .

[ The public session closed at 0914 , 08 March 2016.

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ABBREVIATIONAND ACRONYM KEY

BM : BOARD MEMBER

CA: CASE ADMINISTRATOR

DET : DETAINEE

PC : PRIVATE COUNSEL

PM : PRESIDING MEMBER

PR 1 : PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE ONE

PR 2 PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVETWO

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Unclassified Summary of FinalDetermination

Date of Final Determination DetaineeName DetaineeISN

07 April2016 Saifullah Paracha 1094

The Periodic Review Board, by consensus , determined that continued law of war detention ofthe detainee remains necessary to protect against a continuing significant threat to the security ofthe United States. In making this determination, the Board considered the detainee's past involvement in terrorist activities, including contacts and activities with Usama Bin Laden, Kahlid Shaykh Muhammad and other senior al-Qaeda members, facilitating financial transactions and travel, and developing media for al- Qaeda. The Board further noted the detainee's refusal to take responsibility for his involvement with al-Qaeda, his inability and refusal to distinguish between legitimate and nefarious business contacts, his indifference toward the impact of his prior actions, and his lack of a plan to prevent exposure to avenues of reengagement.

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