Guantánamo Bay’s Qaeda Commander Convicted for War Crimes

Former Qaeda commander Abd al-Hadi al-Iraqi has been sentenced by a U.S. military jury to 30 years in prison for war crimes committed in Afghanistan early 2000s. However, his sentence will end in eight years due to a plea agreement.

This result is a product of the military commissions system, which allows prisoners to negotiate plea deals while requiring a jury sentencing hearing.

Despite his failing health and previous cooperative stance with U.S. investigators, the jury did not grant leniency to Mr. Hadi.

Though the sentence was reduced to 10 years, it’s unclear if victims and their families were informed. After an emotional two-week sentencing trial, no comments were made from those affected.

Hadi, 63, displayed no reaction when the sentence was announced. His case was unique, as there was no evidence in his plea agreement suggesting prior knowledge of the 9/11 attacks.

He admitted to commanding forces that deceitfully used civilians as a cover in attacks, killing 17 U.S. and coalition forces in 2003 and 2004. He also confessed to being a Qaeda liaison to the Taliban and contributing to the destruction of monumental Buddha statues in Afghanistan.

Despite being detained for over 15 years before his guilty plea in 2022, he did not receive credit for time served. His release date, assuming full sentence served, is set for June 2032.

Hadi’s future remains uncertain. War court prosecutors argue that a prisoner can remain at Guantánamo after the sentence ends as the war on terror continues. Alternatively, he could be transferred to a partner nation if one willing and capable of providing specialized health care is found.