He was transferred to the Mosul airport where he was detained in secret for 10 days. During that time he reports being tortured not only by the American officers who arrested him but also by member of the Iraqi security services wearing civilian clothing or American uniforms.
Mr. Mohamed Ahmed OUABED reports having been violently beaten, insulted, and threatened with death; he was suspended by his feet for long periods several times and tortured with electric shocks all over his body.
He was then brought to the Baghdad airport where he was handed over to different American officers to be interrogated once more: he was forced to undress completely and had his hands and feet tied; he was placed in a placed known as a "black box."
Without any respite, his tortures subjected him to inhumane treatment once again to force him to write a deposition in which he says that he came to Iraq to commit "acts of resistance."
On 1 June 2005 he was transferred to Abu Ghraib prison where he was detained for almost two months before being brought to a military barracks where he stayed for ten months. Then he was brought again to Abu Ghraib followed by a return to the Baghdad airport, where it was announced-even before his trial-that he would be sentenced to 15 years imprisonment and be handed over to Algerian authorities.
Two weeks later, on 15 June 2006, he was brought to an office where American officers and Iraqis told him that they were members of a tribunal. A "lawyer" was assigned to him for his defence, but was content to let the charges stand without giving Mr. Ouabed the opportunity to tell his version of events.
Mr. Mohamed Ahmed OUABED nevertheless maintained his innocence, pointing out to the "judge" that he had regularly traveled in Iraqi territory and the business he did there was prosperous before his arbitrary arrest. He also asserted that he had been forced to sign his statements against his will under torture.
Several months later, he was again heard by the same "judge" and was assisted by a person who was presented as his court-appointed lawyer. The "judge" himself confirmed the inconsistency of the charges against Mr. Ouabed but sentenced him all the same to 15 years in prison.
Mr. Mohamed Ahmed OUABED asked consitently to be assisted by a lawyer of his own choice but the detention center authorities refused his demands each time.
After his conviction he asked to make an appeal to be judged again with proper legal assistance; his right to make an appeal against his conviction was never recognized.