American Muslim Suing FBI, State Dept over Alleged Torture by UAE

Portland, Oregon — An American Muslim with ties to a mosque that has reportedly been connected to convicted terrorists in the past has filed a lawsuit against the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the US State Department. 

Yonas Fikre claims he was tortured by the United Arab Emirates at the behest of the U.S. government while in the UAE’s custody.

Fikre is suing for $30 million in U.S. District Court in Oregon. The Associated Press reports that the US State Department has previously acknowledged Fikre was held in the United Arab Emirates, but the news outlet did not make clear whether the detention was at the U.S. governments request or whether it was the decision of the foreign government to incarcerate the man. 

A previous State Department visit to Fikre while he was in custody is reported to have resulted in the officials concluding that the man showed no signs of mistreatment.