Guantanamo Bay: where is the detention camp and who is the Mauritanian?

Mohamedou Ould Slahi spent 14 years in Guantanamo Bay where he was subject to brutal forms of torture despite never being convicted or charged of a crime.

His life is set to be the subject of film The Mauritanian starring Jodie Foster and Tahar Rahim.

Directed by Scottish film-maker Kevin Macdonald, the movie has been blazing a trail through awards season, with Foster having already won the best supporting actress prize at the Golden Globes.

The film centres on his time at the detention camp and the efforts made by lawyer Nancy Hollander who fought for his release.

What is the Mauritanian about and who is Mohamedou Ould Slahi?

The Mauritanian is based on Mohamedou Ould Slahi’s best-selling memoir, Guantanamo Diary.

The book details Slahi’s time in the notorious detention camp, where he was imprisoned in 2002, held for more than a decade without charge and only formally released in 2016.

The United States alleged that the Mauritanian man was part of terrorist organisation al Qaeda at the time of his arrest in November 2001.

Slahi travelled to Afghanistan in 1990 to support the Mujahideen against a communist government; at the time the United States also supported the rebel group. Slahi briefly trained with al Qaeda forces in 1991 before severing all ties with the group in 1992.

In 2000 he was suspected of involvement in the Millenium attack plots, and a year later the United States suspected he was involved in the September 11 attacks. He handed himself into police in November 2001 for questioning.

He was moved to a Jordanian prison before he was transported to Guantanamo Bay where he was subjected to violent torture.

Slahi was subjected to sleep deprivation, isolation, temperature extremes, beatings and sexual humiliation at the US-controlled detention camp.

He was not released from Guantanamo Bay until October 17, 2016.

During his 14-year stint at the prison Slahi was not charged with an offence.

Speaking to CBS News in 2017 Slahi said that he "wholeheartedly [forgives] everyone who wronged [him] during [his] detention."

Where is Guantanamo Bay?

Guantanamo Bay is a United States military prison located on the southeastern end of Cuba.

Established by President George W Bush’s administration in the wake of the September 11 attacks, the base has become infamous for its use of torture on prisoners who are often held without charge for an indefinite amount of time.

Since its opening 780 have been held at the prison camp, with 40 remaining in custody today. Nine have died while at the detention camp.

President Barack Obama vowed to close the prison during his election campaign in 2008 but was met by strong opposition in US Congress, while President Donald Trump vvowed to keep the prison open indefinitely.

Current president Joe Biden has vowed to close the prison.