… But Juma’s health deteriorating
By Meera Ravi
Staff Correspondent
Lawyer Joshua Colangelo Bryan whose firm represents the three Bahraini detainees in Guantanamo Bay yesterday issued a strongly-worded denial of rumours in the Saudi media that Juma Al Dossary had contracted HIV.
“I wish to emphasise that earlier reports in the Saudi media that Juma had contracted HIV are utterly and completely false. I was horrified to learn that anyone would even suggest such an idea,” he said.
However, he expressed concern for Juma’s health and said military doctors had told him that he is anaemic and was suffering from very low blood pressure. Because of his stomach problems for which he receives antibiotics, Juma generally eats only bread and cheese. In fact, he reports that although he weighed 85 kg when he arrived at Guantanamo, he now weighs about 65kg, having lost five kg recently.
… But Juma’s health deteriorating
By Meera Ravi
Staff Correspondent
Lawyer Joshua Colangelo Bryan whose firm represents the three Bahraini detainees in Guantanamo Bay yesterday issued a strongly-worded denial of rumours in the Saudi media that Juma Al Dossary had contracted HIV.
“I wish to emphasise that earlier reports in the Saudi media that Juma had contracted HIV are utterly and completely false. I was horrified to learn that anyone would even suggest such an idea,” he said.
However, he expressed concern for Juma’s health and said military doctors had told him that he is anaemic and was suffering from very low blood pressure. Because of his stomach problems for which he receives antibiotics, Juma generally eats only bread and cheese. In fact, he reports that although he weighed 85 kg when he arrived at Guantanamo, he now weighs about 65kg, having lost five kg recently.
“Juma has suffered from a range of health problems since his March 11 suicide attempt,” Colangelo-Bryan said, “Specifically, the military recommended that he has a colonoscopy sometime in the next few months based on the results of his blood tests. Juma does not trust the doctors and does not want to have the procedure performed at Guantanamo. He said that he would have the procedure in Bahrain or not at all.
“Presently, Juma experiences dizziness, shakes if he misses a meal and continues to suffer from low blood pressure. In addition, the military does not permit Juma to have the eyeglasses that were prescribed for him after months of requests,” the lawyer’s report said.