home

Bronx Filmaker Waits Out Appeal in Afghan Jail

By Jeralyn, Section War In Iraq
Posted on Sun Jul 24, 2005 at 05:43:24 AM EST
Tags: (all tags)
Share This: Digg! StumbleUpon del.icio.us reddit reddit

The New York Times today reports on the case of Bronx documentary filmaker and four time Emmy award winner Edward Caraballo, convicted along with Jack Idema and Brent Bennett, after a farce of a trial in Afhanistan. Details from the trial are available here.

TalkLeft's good pal, New York lawyer Bob Fogelnest, represented Caraballo. Bob had gone to Kabul for two months, pro bono, to teach Afghan lawyers how to defend people under their new constitution. Bob is a great writer, and chronicled some of his experiences at his blog Mullah Bob.

Back to the Times article. Caraballo is serving his eight year sentence in Pul-i-Charkhi prison in Kabul. He is interviewed for the article, and describes his life in jail. He also describes his fellow prisoners and their, get this, adoration of Bush and America.

The Afghans have surprised him. "They all love Bush, because he liberated their country," he said, "and they all say Osama bin Laden is Bush's friend," suggesting that in their minds there is a conspiracy that allows Al Qaeda's leader to remain at large.

"The young people all want to learn English here," he said. "They want to become Westernized. The top three requests I get at every corner are - No. 3: do I have any American cigarettes? No. 2: do I have an American magazine for them? And the top request is: 'Please take me to America.'"

He gets along well with the prisoners and guards now.

"He's an innocent man, and a good man," said Gen. Zaher Zaheruddin, commander of Pul-i-Charkhi prison. "He's a journalist," the general added. "You should put pressure on the American government to take him out of here."

Caraballo is appealing to be freed, but "neither Washington nor any professional organization have taken up his case."

Democracy Now highlighted the case and has this interview with Bob Fogelnest about it. The latest case news can be found here.

< Cheney Tries to Block Bill To Limit Detainee Abuse | British Police Say More People Could Be Shot >

  • The Online Magazine with Liberal coverage of crime-related political and injustice news

  • Contribute To TalkLeft


    • Display: Sort:
    Bronx Filmaker Waits Out Appeal in Afghan Jail | 4 comments (4 topical)
    Re: Bronx Filmaker Waits Out Appeal in Afghan Jai (none / 0) (#1)
    by scarshapedstar on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:01:34 PM EST
    "They all love Bush, because he liberated their country," he said, "and they all say Osama bin Laden is Bush's friend" See, in other countries, actions really do speak louder than words.

    Re: Bronx Filmaker Waits Out Appeal in Afghan Jai (none / 0) (#2)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:01:34 PM EST
    Well, glad to know our PR campaign is working so well over there

    Re: Bronx Filmaker Waits Out Appeal in Afghan Jai (none / 0) (#3)
    by Che's Lounge on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:01:35 PM EST
    Scar, Yet he went into Iraq. Plenty of love lost there.

    Re: Bronx Filmaker Waits Out Appeal in Afghan Jai (none / 0) (#4)
    by Dadler on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:01:35 PM EST
    Wonder what these guys were in jail for? And I wonder if women in Afghanistan (who suffered exponentially more than anyone under the Taliban) wouldn't have a slightly different opinion. And OFF-TOPIC, but this should really get its own thread, it's been confirmed the London police shot an innocent Brazilian man to death the other day in tube. If the calm and collected British are now this trigger-happy over anyone with brown skin and baggy clothes, I shudder to think what will happen here when it happens. Shoot first, figure it out later

    Bronx Filmaker Waits Out Appeal in Afghan Jail | 4 comments (4 topical)