CIA questioned 'American Taleban'

John Walker (R) was calling himself Abdul Hamid

A US intelligence officer questioned alleged American Taleban fighter John Walker shortly before the uprising at Qala-e-Jhangi fort last week, it has been revealed.

Central Intelligence Agency officer Johnny "Mike" Spann was filmed interrogating 20-year-old Walker shortly before violence broke out at the fort, during which Spann was killed.

The problem is he's got to decide whether he wants to live or die. If he wants to die, he's going to die here

'Dave', CIA agent

The footage, shot by an unidentified Afghan cameraman, shows the bedraggled Taleban recruit with his arms tied behind his back kneeling on a carpet, as Spann and another CIA agent tried to extract information.

Hundreds died at Qala-e-Jhangi after the uprising was suppressed by Northern Alliance troops aided by US and British Special Forces.

The men were taken prisoner as Northern Alliance forces, aided by heavy US air strikes pushed Taleban forces out of the city of Kunduz, their last northern stronghold.

'Disturbing' footage

Amnesty International has called for an investigation into events at the fort to determine whether the Geneva Convention on the treatment of prisoners was broken.

A spokeswoman in London said the language used in the video was very disturbing, and said the CIA could not get away with threatening prisoners with death.

Johnny 'Mike' Spann became the first US casualty in Afghanistan

In the video, Spann's colleague, an agent known only as 'Dave' is shown speaking menacingly about Walker to Spann within earshot of the kneeling prisoner.

"The problem is he's got to decide whether he wants to live or die. If he wants to die, he's going to die here. Or he's going to spend the rest of his life in prison...it's his decision," Dave is shown telling Spann.

The film goes on to show Spann explaining to Walker that many Muslims had died in the 11 September terror attacks.

"They (the hijackers) killed other Muslims. There were several hundred other Muslims killed in the bombing. Are you going to talk to us?" Spann demands.

No response

Throughout, Walker remains sullen and does not respond to any of the questions.

Shortly after the interrogation, other prisoners overpowered guards and launched the uprising in which Spann was killed.

Dave was reportedly extracted from the area by US and British Special Forces.

The US Justice Department is currently assessing what charges to bring against Walker.

Treason - which carries the death penalty - is one option. Charging him with being an accessory to Spann's murder is another possibility.

However President Bush has described Walker as a poor fellow who may have been misled.