The Rendition Project

The Rendition Project

Researching the globalisation
of rendition and secret detention

Bismullah

 

Nationality: unknown
Date of birth: unknown
Place of birth: unknown

Capture: unknown
 
SSCI prisoner number: 77

Entered CIA custody: 16 September 2003 – 20 October 2003
Period of CIA custody: 1-9 days
Left CIA custody: 17 September 2003 – 29 October 2003

Detained: unknown

Current status: released, September or October 2003

 

Very little is known about Bismullah. Analysis by The Rendition Project and the Bureau of Investigative Journalism has established that he was transferred into CIA custody at some point between 16 September 2003 and 20 October 2003. According to calculations published by the SSCI, he was held by the CIA for between 1 and 9 days. He is listed in the SSCI report as one of the 26 detainees “wrongfully detained” by the CIA, given that there was no evidence of him posing a “continuing, serious threat” to US interests. In fact, CIA records cited by the SSCI report show that the CIA determined that he had been mistakenly arrested, and released him with a cash payment and instructions not to speak about his experience.

Bishmullah would have been transferred out of CIA custody at some point between 17 September 2003 and 29 October 2003. His fate and whereabouts after this point are unknown.