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Amal Ahmed Abdel-Fatah Al Sada, Osama Bin Laden Widow, Reveals New Details On Al Qaeda Leader's Life On The Run

By MUNIR AHMED 03/30/12 10:28 AM ET AP

ISLAMABAD -- Osama bin Laden lived in five safe houses while on the run in Pakistan and fathered four children – two of them born in government hospitals, his youngest widow has told investigators.

The details of bin Laden's life as a fugitive in Pakistan are contained in the interrogation report of Amal Ahmed Abdel-Fatah al-Sada, bin Laden's 30-year-old Yemeni widow. They appear to raise fresh questions over how bin Laden was able to remain undetected for so long in Pakistan after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, despite being the subject of a massive international manhunt.

Details from the report were first published by the Pakistani newspaper Dawn.

The Associated Press obtained a copy on Friday.

Al-Sada is currently in Pakistani custody, along with bin Laden's two other wives and several children. They were arrested after the U.S raid that killed bin Laden in May in his final hideout in the Pakistani army town of Abbottabad. The U.S. Navy SEALs shot her in the leg during the operation.

Mohammed Amir Khalil, a lawyer for the three widows, said the women would be formally charged for illegally staying in Pakistan on April 2. That charge carries a maximum five-year prison sentence.

Since the raid that killed bin Laden, it has been known that he lived mostly in Pakistan since 2002.

Al-Sada's account says she flew to Pakistan in 2000 and traveled to Afghanistan where she married bin Laden before the Sept. 11 attacks.

After that, the family "scattered" and she traveled to Karachi in Pakistan. She later met up with bin Laden in Peshawar and then moved to the Swat Valley, where they lived in two houses. They moved one more time before settling in Abbottabad in 2005.

According to the report, al-Sada said that two of her children were born in government hospitals, but that she stayed only "two or three hours" in the clinics on both occasions. The charge sheet against the three women says that they gave officials fake identities.

During the manhunt for bin Laden, most U.S. and Pakistani officials said that bin Laden was likely living somewhere along the remote Afghanistan-Pakistan border, possibly in a cave.

The fact he was living in populated parts of Pakistan raised suspicions elements in the Pakistani security forces may have been hiding him. U.S. officials have said they have found no evidence this was the case.

Photos: Discoveries in the Bin Laden compound
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  • Marijuana

    A stroll around the 20-foot-tall, barbed wire led CNN's Nic Robertson to <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/05/osama-bin-laden-marijuana-crop_n_858301.html" target="_hplink">discover</a> a crop of marijuana plants just yards from the home. But whether or not bin Laden and his family were growing the weed for recreational purposes remains a mystery, and it has long been speculated that the Al Qaeda leader suffered from kidney failure, which would allow him to get a prescription for medical marijuana in many U.S. states.

  • Pornography

    As Reuters is <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/13/osama-bin-laden-porn_n_861664.html" target="_hplink">reporting</a>, a "fairly extensive" stash of "modern, electronically recorded" pornography was found in the compound, according to U.S. officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.

  • 'Natural Viagra'

    The <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/09/osama-bin-laden-avena-sativa-syrup-natura_n_859436.html" target="_hplink">discovery</a> of Avena syrup -- a botanical product often used as "natural Viagra" -- at bin Laden's compound has raised questions about whether or not the Al Qaeda leader or his associates were trying to boost their libidos. Also known by the nickname "wild oats," Avena Sativa syrup has two potential uses: to increase sexual desire, and as artificial sweetener used for a sour stomach.

  • Diary

    Navy SEALs <a href="http://theweek.com/article/index/215259/top-5-revelations-from-bin-ladens-diary" target="_hplink">reportedly</a> swiped the terrorist's short journal from his Pakistani compound. The al Qaeda leader is said to have mused about mass murder, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/13/osama-bin-laden-obama-_n_861598.html" target="_hplink">naming </a>his number one target as President Obama, followed by U.S. military leaders including the defense secretary and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Interestingly, bin Laden noted that U.S. Vice President Joe Biden "was not an important target because that position has less weight."

  • No Internet Access

    As the <em>Washington Post</em> is <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/blogpost/post/osama-bin-ladens-doting-wives-secret-e-mail-system-and-other-secrets-revealed/2011/05/13/AFTdOX2G_blog.html" target="_hplink">reporting</a>, the compound lacked Internet access, so bin Laden would communicate though an "elaborate pass-the-buck" system by typing a message on his computer which would then be saved to a flash drive and given to a trusted courier, who would drive it to far-off Internet cafes and return with incoming e-mail.

  • Soft Drinks

    Bin Laden may have hated the United States, but that didn't stop him from <a href=" Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1383429/Osama-Bin-Laden-dead-Marijuana-grew-near-luxury-compound-Abbottabad.html#ixzz1MG1HF265" target="_hplink">reportedly </a>indulging in plenty of Coca-Cola and Pepsi -- products that are often associated with the Western commercialism the al Qaeda leader is said to have despised.

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ISLAMABAD -- Osama bin Laden lived in five safe houses while on the run in Pakistan and fathered four children &ndash; two of them born in government hospitals, his youngest widow has told investigato...
ISLAMABAD -- Osama bin Laden lived in five safe houses while on the run in Pakistan and fathered four children &ndash; two of them born in government hospitals, his youngest widow has told investigato...
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10:07 AM on 04/17/2012
After living in his man cave for more than five years with three wives, word is Bin Laden actually called the Seals in to put him out of his misery.....
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Iamrebelriser
iamrebelriser
11:26 PM on 04/03/2012
I think the Bush family knew a lot more than they ever let on. don't forget that The Bush's flew several members of the Bin Laden family out of the US after the attack on Sept 11,2002 while there were supposed to be NO flights of any kind in our skies. I've never trusted the Bushes.
04:51 PM on 04/01/2012
this statement "it has long been speculated that the Al Qaeda leader suffered from kidney failure, which would allow him to get a prescription for medical marijuana in many U.S. states." has what to do with the story??? Did he buy Medical Marajuana form the US states???
03:42 PM on 04/01/2012
Is that a Playstation!!!
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
OhioPaul
12:47 PM on 04/01/2012
Swat in Pakistan was place bin Laden hid. I walked Swat Valley after college, hiking village to village. Swat, "Switzerland of Pakistan." It is narrow valley with small villages all elevated from the Swat River, sparsely populated area for Indian subcontinent. At any point one sees across the valley and up and down, for miles. Not good hideout. Swat was controlled by Taliban for years until 2009, now Taliban-free. It's inconceivable that Obama family, he 6' 5" (1.95 m), could have hid out "in plain sight" without protection of Taliban. Fast forward to last home. The Navy Seals were surprised about the lack of security in home, the lack of a Plan B for a panic room, tunnel perhaps to slip away or, at least, substantial security at front door. An inordinately tall man was often seen walking in the walled-in garden from elevated windows or rooftops! Still with friends in high places with even higher friends ...? Last remark, there were two Sultans of Swat, one historic ruler of the Swat valley, one, for non-Americans, the nickname of America's most famous ballplayer, Babe Ruth. For pictures of Swat see first photos posted by young Pakistanis on a motor trip. http://www.pakwheels.com/forums/road-trips-vacations/186123-strange-trip-haripur-swat-malumjabba-n-then-lahore
01:03 AM on 04/28/2012
Thanks for info
07:26 AM on 04/01/2012
Only the Americans did not know what the rest of the world already knew VIZ, that bin laden was in Pakistan all the while . Check out properly how and when he was " flown into" Pakistan. And the American will find to their horror that probably it was just from under their nose when they allowed certain pakistani servicemen out of Afghanistan before commencing their intensive bunker- bursting bombing session at the very initial stages. God Save America .....from the Pakistanis .
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Gary Strawley
03:50 AM on 04/01/2012
I wanted to ask what % of the the people we import that hate this country and want to do harm
TO IT! I know it has a % known ! what is it? and why do we make sure we get more of then here every day!!! WHAT % IS IT!
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fymayawf
08:33 PM on 04/01/2012
Whatever % your fevered mind wants to believe.
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edenooch
nefarious humor
12:51 AM on 04/01/2012
living in a palace and a massive marijuana grow right under everyones nose
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Susan Shaffer
watching you...
04:16 AM on 04/01/2012
gosh, things must be bad for you if you think where he was living was a palace.
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jonathanzimmel
03:30 PM on 04/01/2012
relative the the shacks he lived amongst his compound was definately larger/more elaborate and would have stood out and should have attracted attention
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robertstone1robert
My micro bio is too big.
12:44 AM on 04/01/2012
Why is she not being charged with aiding and abetting a criminal--oh, that's right in Pakistan bin Ladin is regarded as something of a hero.
She is 30. Bin Ladin was an old geezer killer. Was it love at first sight? I know he has many lovable qualities. Ummmm, what are they? I can't think of any.
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jonathanzimmel
03:31 PM on 04/01/2012
he's a billionaire she's a gold digger.....got it?
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Susan Shaffer
watching you...
05:20 PM on 04/01/2012
no, i think more along the line of gangster's moll
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Iamrebelriser
iamrebelriser
11:30 PM on 04/03/2012
Maybe he, especially his family, were a milionaires, but his wives only wanted to survive instead of living the poor lives as lived by most Pakistanis or the people of Afghanistan..
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TRAINJANE
what ! again?
09:43 PM on 03/31/2012
I'M SURE PAKISTANIN OFFICALS KNEW RIGHT WHERE BINLADEN WAS AND USED OUR MONEY TO HIDE AND PROTECT HIM AS WELL!!!
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jonathanzimmel
03:31 PM on 04/01/2012
yeah it sure seems that way
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Susan Shaffer
watching you...
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Susan Shaffer
watching you...
05:27 PM on 03/31/2012
oh and the other thing about Pakistani jails is that you don't get given a thing. Your family or friends have to bring you food, toilet paper etc. So whoever steps up to the plate to supply the wife will come under scrutiny.
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Susan Shaffer
watching you...
05:22 PM on 03/31/2012
The interesting thing in all this is that since about 2003 Pakistan has had a very sophisticated national ID system. All records are in a central computer database and it connects all family members. It is a hard plastic card with photo, finger print, signature if they can sign. There are various security features. Even Pakistanis who have emigrated are eligible. I think the idea is to track everyone and to know their connections. Having one of these cards allows visa free entry to a non pakistani passport holder so it acts as an incentive to get one.
When the swat offensive happened the military set up camps for refugees. They only allowed those who had an id card to go the refugee camp. All those left behind were killed.
Now if this woman had a fake id card then that means someone within the system organised this. It means that the pakistanis will be able to route out who supported bin laden during his time in pakistan.
10:46 PM on 03/31/2012
Fake ID cards and passports are very common in that part of the world. I don't follow, at all, your reasoning. Somebody in the UAR or Kuwait could have faked them for the wives.
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Susan Shaffer
watching you...
02:53 AM on 04/01/2012
Let me explain. I married a pakistani. I had to go through the process to get one. You can't just put up your hand and ask for it. It requires all sorts of documents. My application form was signed off by a recipient worker who will have his own id number that goes on every document. We aren't talking ww2 hogans heros fake id.
http://www.nadra.gov.pk/
Think about why a country as poor as pakistan would invest so much money to have such a system when they have other more pressing needs. The answer is that the USA paid for it. In fact I would suspect that was one of the first demands after 9/11.
Somehow everyone now thinks Pakistan is the enemy but to remind you the people who executed 9/11 were not Pakistanis. All foreign nationals who would not be able to prove Pakistani citizenship.
When I first went to Pakistan in 2000 I couldn't even open a bank account with a passport as proof of ID. I had to be introduced. Everything has a link so they can trace activities.
The idea to extend the cards to Pakistanis who've migrated makes the web of interactions tighter. The London bombers had relatives in Pakistan. There was the other attempt to bomb and they tracked the sim card to a doctor who had migrated to australia. He was of indian background. I would bet my bottom dollar that India also has thissystem in place.
05:05 PM on 03/31/2012
We have had good men in the White House from both parties in the past and hopfully
will have again if they don't mis-represent them selves and they truly are wanting
to do for the people and not just do for themselves. we were hood winked but
don't give up yet. There are good Dems and Reps and this to shall pass.
Haters never win they will get their karma in time. Life recycles it's self in
time.there are other Clinton's, and Reagan's out there who really wanted
the best for this country.
04:48 PM on 03/31/2012
Proud of America, Proud of President George W. Bush and sad for all the haters and those who can't think for them selves. The pied piper is in the White House today and he is really good at camouflage, just look at how many men have turned to mice, how much gas has
gone up, how much we have boosted China and how this man Obama has escelated
race relations in this country. He had a real chance to unite us to make things better
but he chooses to devide us, does not respect our laws. Mr. Obama travels with
the filthy rich and pretends he cares about the poor. Hey, Big Spender your not
there to get riche or be a dictator. I keep hoping he will put America first
before he gives it away to the mid east. I believed him when he talked about
bringing us togather, transparency and all that jazz. We need a honest man
the party means nothing if he is just self serving and dishonest.
09:56 PM on 03/31/2012
Wow I am sorry you feel that way. you must live in a different world than I to come to your conclusions in regards to our current president. You certainly have the right to feel the way you do, but I question where you get your information from. Here we have a president who has the most partisan congress ever who refuse to allow him any compromise in regard's to policy. He has governed from the center and while certainly not perfect he has done a great job considering the current environment.
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PitBull6
01:28 PM on 04/01/2012
Whatever one thinks about his GOP opposition in Congress, it's certainly not fair to say he governed from the center.
01:46 PM on 04/01/2012
And thus the prefix "semi"... Idiot.
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hotheaded
07:49 AM on 04/01/2012
its' frightening to read this because it reminds me that people are actually this ignorant.