Samantha Bee interrogates ex-Guantanamo detainee freed years after he was found innocent
"Meet Murat Kurnaz, who was born in Germany and who traveled to Pakistan to learn about Islam a month after 9/11, on a poorly timed Fast Pray Pray trip," Samantha Bee said on Monday's Full Frontal. Bee flew to Germany, "the comedy capital of the world," to interview Kurnaz, who was scooped up by U.S. forces in Afghanistan, subjected to "enhanced interrogation techniques," and then dumped in Guantanamo Bay prison camp, which Bee called "a prized source of national embarrassment" for the U.S. "I figured an interrogation room would make this ex-Guantanamo detainee feel most conformable," she said, and so they spoke in a black, dimly lighted room.
It didn't take long for U.S. officials to determine that they had nabbed the wrong guy, Bee said. "I mean, this guy is so innocent, Germany made a TV movie about his innocence." Kurnaz's tales of being tortured and, oddly, offered blue Pepsi as a carrot to talk, are troubling, but he also shared that he had welcomed the involvement of Americans because he thought they did things by the rules and would free him as soon as they figured out he was innocent. Why would he think that? Hollywood. Watch below, and yes, Donald Trump does earn a mention in the end. Peter Weber
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
The Spanish cop, 20 million euros and 13 tonnes of cocaine
In the Spotlight Óscar Sánchez Gil, Chief Inspector of Spain's Economic and Tax Crimes Unit, has been arrested for drug trafficking
By The Week UK Published
-
5 hilarious cartoons about the rise and fall of Matt Gaetz
Cartoons Artists take on age brackets, backbiting, and more
By The Week US Published
-
The future of X
Talking Point Trump's ascendancy is reviving the platform's coffers, whether or not a merger is on the cards
By The Week UK Published
-
Jussie Smollet conviction overturned on appeal
Speed Read The Illinois Supreme Court overturned the actor's conviction on charges of staging a racist and homophobic attack against himself in 2019
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Quincy Jones, music icon, is dead at 91
Speed Read The legendary producer is perhaps best known as the architect behind Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published