Fadaam Khazal Ali Suleiman al-Sabaawi

Fadaam Khazal Ali Suleiman al-Sabaawi, who used to sell building materials, narrates how he was arrested by ISIS when the organization first took control of Mosul in June 2014. He recounts how an ISIS member lured him to a nearby checkpoint, where he was arrested on suspicion of collaborating with the Iraqi Armed Forces. Fadaam believes that someone had made false accusations against him. From the checkpoint he was taken to the former Turkish Consulate Prison and crammed into a wooden box known as the ‘Dog House.’ This was so small he had to remain in a  fetal position, and was unable to move.

The next morning, Fadaam was taken to the investigation room where an interrogator and the ISIS member that had lured him to the checkpoint were present. Once he denied the charges brought against him, ISIS jailers began provoking and torturing him. When Fadaam requested them to show evidence for the charges brought against him, the interrogator called an alleged witness on speakerphone. The witness was a young boy, who claimed he had heard Fadaam praying for God to grant victory to the Iraqi government and army. Fadaam denied the charges so vehemently that he felt that one of the interrogators was convinced of his innocence.

After three days, Fadaam was transferred with others to al-Ahdath Prison. He recounts the first moments of entering the prison, describing how they waited for two hours before being taken to a group cell. He says he was shocked to find around 150 prisoners crammed into a single cell. He also says that he learned the names of the jailers and realized that most of them were Iraqis from Mosul. One of them was a neighbor, who later helped him to be released.

Fadaam details the interrogation and torture sessions he underwent, most notably being whipped with plastic hoses on his feet until they were swollen. He details other torture methods, such as being flogged on the back, being suspended on a bed-like contraption called a hantura,  and being given electric shocks. Fadaam was convinced that the more torture he endured, the more likely it was that he would not be executed. He does not recall the interrogation sessions being recorded, at least not the one he underwent. Fadaam acknowledges Abu Musab, a jailer who treated prisoners with mercy and compassion, and who eventually saved him. 

Fadaam mentions the names of many prisoners. Among them were tribesmen — some of whom were later killed — former policemen, and ISIS members. Even the elderly and sick were not spared from imprisonment. The most common charges brought against the prisoners were ‘collaboration’ with the Iraqi government, being Shia, drug abuse, and theft. One of the prisoners, a civilian pilot, was executed. Faddam says the remaining prisoners believed they too would be executed. Their sense of a common fate made them friendly and cooperative with each other. They spent their time reciting the Quran, worshiping God, and praying for Him to spare them.

Fadaam recounts how the jailers tricked prisoners who were being transferred to another prison, making them believe they were being taken to be executed. Fearing death, one of the prisoners panicked and began beating the jailer in an attempt to escape. However, ISIS members planted among the  prisoners stopped him. He was taken to a solitary cell, and then managed to lock himself inside. When he refused to open the door, the jailers threw a grenade inside and killed him.

According to Fadaam, the prison food was sourced from a hospital. It was Ramadan, and the portions provided for suhoor and iftar were very small, but the prisoners could not request larger portions. As for healthcare, it did not exist. The jailers even accused those with heart conditions of faking their illness to be released. Fadaam himself contracted scabies, and was only treated upon his release. He says the prisoners found it impossible to make their cell any cleaner, though they washed it with water every day. There was no sunlight to dry it when it was wet. Hygiene in the toilets and bathrooms was also very poor, and cleaning products were not available, apart from a few bars of soap.

Fadaam recounts how he was released after the prison was targeted by an airstrike. Another group cell was destroyed by the strike, killing around 40 prisoners, and forcing ISIS to transfer the rest to the Qaimaqamiyaiya prison. There, Fadaam appeared before a judge. He was able to convince him of his innocence, and this led to his acquittal.

Finally, Fadaam discusses the psychological and physical toll this experience had on him. He expresses anger over the fact that some former ISIS leaders are living comfortably in Turkey and Germany, enjoying what they have looted from the country, while victims like himself are struggling with unemployment and receiving revenge threats from relatives of ISIS members. He wishes that officials both in his own country and in other states would find a way for the victims to feel safe and secure again. He prays that God will deal with those who wronged him, both in this world and the hereafter.