The Worldwide Obesity Epidemic continues...
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - The commander at Guantanamo Bay denied reports that the physical and mental health of an Al-Jazeera cameraman held there is deteriorating. A defense attorney earlier this week said Sami al-Hajj, one of the highest-profile detainees at the U.S. naval base in southeastern Cuba, has lost 40 pounds since late last year and developed intestinal problems. Al-Hajj has been on hunger strike, lawyer Clive Stafford Smith said.
Geez, Clive's a lyin sack of shit? Now there goes all my faith in "human rights" lawyers.
But in an e-mail sent late Friday to The Associated Press, U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Mark H. Buzby said al-Hajj is actually 20 pounds heavier than when he arrived at the U.S. military prison in June 2002.
Woah, Sami! Better lay off that banana cream intravenous!
"Contrary to allegations, there have been no indications that he developed intestinal problems and no indications that his mental health has recently deteriorated," Buzby said. He insisted al-Hajj is currently at "102 percent of his ideal body weight" and is seen by medical personnel daily at Guantanamo Bay, where the U.S. holds about 355 men on suspicion of terrorism or links to al-Qaida or the Taliban.
We'd put him on the treadmill, but Human Rights Watch sez that's some kinda torture...
Al-Hajj was first reported to be on hunger strike in early January by his network's Arabic-language Web site, which said he may be suffering from various health problems. Buzby did not disclose al-Hajj's weight or confirm that he is one of the hunger strikers. In recent months, the number of hunger strikers at Guantanamo has grown to about two dozen. Long-term hunger strikers are force-fed by the military.
"Long term hunger strikers". Somewhere in Wormland, Bobby Sands wishes he was imprisoned by Americans...
Stafford Smith did not immediately respond to calls for comment on Buzby's letter.
Yes, well, obviously a lying facist jack booted thug...
International human rights and press freedom groups have condemned al-Hajj's imprisonment.
Yeah? What about Weight Watchers?