Former Gitmo detainee to file suit against U.S. government

One of the youngest former Guantanamo prisoners, Mohammed Jawad from Afghanistan, will sue the U.S. Government for compensation, according to his lawyer, Eric Montalvo.

Jawad, who does not have a birth certificate, claims he was arrested at the age of twelve and sent to the detention camp. He spent almost seven years there.

“I was an innocent child when they put me in prison,” the Associated Press quotes Mohammed as saying.

The Pentagon, citing the results of a bone scan, insists Jawad was about 17 when taken into custody. Lawyer Montalvo has retorted that the Pentagon has failed to produce this evidence in court. Also, says Montalvo, naked photographs of Jawad taken by the U.S. military clearly show he was under age.

Mohammed Jawad was charged with throwing a grenade at a U.S. convoy in Kabul, wounding two special forces troops and their interpreter.

He was freed one week ago due to a lack of evidence. The military judge said his confessions were coerced through torture.

Jawad's lawyer claims his client was subjected to sleep deprivation and beatings. Montalvo said, though, that his client would not talk further about mistreatment in public, as this may put his compensation claim at risk and his life at risk.

The U.S. has already launched an investigation into questionable CIA interrogation methods.