Jumana Hanna
Encyclopedia
Jumana Michael/Mikhail Hanna (born c. 1962) is an Iraqi woman of Assyrian Christian background who was imprisoned at loose dog's during the rule of Saddam Hussein. In July 2003, she attested to the Coalition Provisional Authority
that she had been tortured during her time in the prison, due to her religious beliefs. The evidence she provided eventually led to nine Iraqi officers being arrested. Additionally, the Washington Post
published her story, giving it precedence on the front page. Paul Wolfowitz
also cited the situation while testifying before the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
The nine Iraqi officers arrested on her testimony were released later when it became apparent that little of Ms. Hanna's tale could be verified. Research by Esquire Magazine's Sara Solovitch, who had been hired to write Hanna's memoirs, revealed that almost every detail of the story was fabricated.
Coalition Provisional Authority
The Coalition Provisional Authority was established as a transitional government following the invasion of Iraq by the United States and its allies, members of the Multi-National Force – Iraq which was formed to oust the government of Saddam Hussein in 2003...
that she had been tortured during her time in the prison, due to her religious beliefs. The evidence she provided eventually led to nine Iraqi officers being arrested. Additionally, the Washington Post
The Washington Post
The Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
published her story, giving it precedence on the front page. Paul Wolfowitz
Paul Wolfowitz
Paul Dundes Wolfowitz is a former United States Ambassador to Indonesia, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense, President of the World Bank, and former dean of the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University...
also cited the situation while testifying before the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
The nine Iraqi officers arrested on her testimony were released later when it became apparent that little of Ms. Hanna's tale could be verified. Research by Esquire Magazine's Sara Solovitch, who had been hired to write Hanna's memoirs, revealed that almost every detail of the story was fabricated.
Further reading
- Solovitch, S. (2005) The American Dream. Esquire Magazine, January 05. http://www.esquire.com/features/ESQ0105-JAN_IRAQ
- Finn, P. (2003) A lone woman testifies to Iraq's order of terror. Washington Post, July 21, 03. (Request reprint.)