Abu Abdullah: Well, initially when I was arrested at home they said that it was on the suspicion of lending financial support for terrorist activity in Kashmir. At Paddington Green they changed the charge to sections 57 and 58 of the Terrorism Act. Section 57 is dealing with possessing articles for the purpose of terrorist acts. Section 58 is dealing with collecting or holding information that is of a kind likely to be useful to those involved in acts of terrorism. They had other charges too; I can’t recall all of them. Eventually some were dropped and others were taken to court.

I had a duty solicitor. I hadn’t insisted on a solicitor of my own choice, as I didn’t know my rights at that time. Fortunately, the duty solicitor was all right. He advised me to make no comment. He also said that he wouldn’t be asking me many questions as there is no privacy here. I stayed silent during questioning.

Al-Istiqamah: How long were you held at Paddington Green?

Abu Abdullah: I stayed there for about three days. My experience at Paddington Green was a place that was very dark and cold. For three days, I didn’t eat anything. I had a duty solicitor and I would insist on getting sealed bottled mineral water from outside. That is what I survived on.

Al-Istiqamah: You were worried that the food might be drugged?

Abu Abdullah: Definitely. It was very very uncomfortable. I had to sleep on this brick bed. They keep the light on through the night so it is difficult to sleep. My cell had a toilet, but I wouldn’t use it. I told them that I would only use another one [outside of my cell].

Al-Istiqamah: And then you were transferred to Belmarsh?

Abu Abdullah: Yes, I was taken to Belmarsh.

Al-Istiqamah: Were you in the HSU (High Security Unit)?

Abu Abdullah: No. I was Category A, not AA. When I got to Belmarsh, I didn’t know what to expect. I’ve never been inside a prison before. The only image of prisons that I had was from watching American films as a kid. I thought I might be stabbed on my first night.

When I saw my cell in Belmarsh, I was surprised. I was expecting a similar one to Paddington’s but here, I had a window, I could see a bit of greenery through it. I felt a bit more comfortable.

 

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