Hatem Qurmazi is not just an ordinary mechanic, but also a self-made expert in making and repairing guns. His experience gained him so much notoriety that al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb was ready to recruit him.
Despite a few stints in jail for illegal firearms repair and trade, he did not stop his hobby. He was even declared insane after a suicide attempt but Qurmazi insists that he is neither crazy nor useless to the Tunisian authorities—they just don’t know how talented he really is, he claims.
Hatem Qurmazi is not just an ordinary mechanic, but also a self-made expert in making and repairing guns. His experience gained him so much notoriety that al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb was ready to recruit him.
Despite a few stints in jail for illegal firearms repair and trade, he did not stop his hobby. He was even declared insane after a suicide attempt but Qurmazi insists that he is neither crazy nor useless to the Tunisian authorities—they just don’t know how talented he really is, he claims.
Mr. Qurmazi, are you a mechanic or a weapons maker?
I’m from Kasserine, I am 37 years old and my original profession is a mechanic. I went to school until the secondary fifth grade (two years before the baccalaureate). I could be described as an expert in repairing and making light weapons, missiles and explosives of all kinds. I am self-made and practical and my work as a mechanic greatly helped me.
How did you discover your talent for making arms?
The beginning was in 1992. I was very fond of wild hunting, but I did not have the money to buy a hunting rifle. Therefore, I tried to make it myself. I was lucky and actually succeeded in realizing what I wanted. Since then, I focused on gun making and development. Due to my knowledge in the field of mechanics, it has become very easy for me and I expanded my knowledge through reading, research and constant experiments.
What were the weapons you succeeded in making?
I made a 16 mm rifle and was able to develop another 4.5 mm where I converted it from a pneumatic weapon into a firearm. I also made a multi-shot 5.5 mm sniper rifle with a range of 1,200 meters. I accomplished all this in a small workshop at my house where I conducted experiments and measurements without the help of any one.
Weapons making is illegal in Tunisia. Where are these weapons now? Did you keep them or did you sell them?
I did not sell the weapons, but the Ministry of Interior seized them through the National Guard Research and Inspection Division in Kasserine.
How did this happen? Were you charged for making these weapons?
In 1996, a resident of Fosana, Kasserine was arrested on charges of possessing a weapon without a license. When he was interrogated, he accused a person of selling him arms. When security failed to arrest the person in concern, the charge was fabricated against me. I remained in custody for six months after which time the case was dismissed and I was released.
Yet you continued making weapons?
Yes indeed. In 2000, I was unemployed so I returned to the arms industry and made hunting rifles. In the same year, I was arrested and sentenced to six months in prison for firearms repair and production without a license.
You were accused of preparing a bombing against a terrorist group. Tell us about that.
That was a false accusation. In Ramadan 2008, an agent of Kasserine’s Help Police accused me of preparing a bombing against a foreign terrorist group. In his report, he said I rented an apartment in front of the security zone headquarters in Kasserine, to bomb it along with the Higher Institute of Technological Studies with five guided missiles, as I was informed by Head of National Security Ali Syriati during my interrogation.
Following this accusation, I found myself in the corridors of the Ministry of Interior in Tunis where I was severely tortured for a week. Afterwards, they discovered that the agent fabricated the charge against me to get a promotion. I was released and the police agent who falsely accused me was deposed.
Have you been observed by security?
The political police followed me as closely as my own shadow, even during my prayers. Its members were quick to send undercover agents in the form of civilians who pretended to be interested in buying weapons to entrap me. However, they discovered that I had no weapons other than those seized earlier.
Can you actually make weapons other than those mentioned?
Making pistols and rifles of different types (aerobic, firearms and automatic) and different bullets and shots is very easy for me. I can also make all kinds of explosives (explosives pens, belts, timed bombs and landmines).
I can also manufacture ballistic missiles (short and medium-ranged up to 150 km). Of course, I am ready to perform any test before the major world’s specialists.
Did you actually make these weapons or they are still just designs?
I did not, but I carried out experiments confirming the success of my designs.
Why did not you try to get a license to legitimate your talent?
In 1997, I faxed several applications to the Ministry of the Interior, attached with my weapons designs. My purpose was to be allowed to serve Tunisia and employ my skills for the benefit of the defense of our homeland. Unfortunately, instead of being embraced, I found myself in prison for a month although the hearing was postponed due to the absence of a legal document providing for a trial against submitting applications accompanied by designs.
Have you tried to travel abroad to develop your talents?
I am banned from obtaining a passport. Before the revolution, my documents were torn in front of me every time I wanted to obtain a passport on accusations of craziness. I remember that the police once took me to Kasserine’s Republic Prosecutor Lotfi Ben Jeddo (currently the Minister of Interior) and informed him that I was delusional and needed a psychiatrist.
Have things changed since the revolution?
I am longer under surveillance. Security acknowledged that despite my talent of repairing weapons, I would not exploit it to endanger anyone.
However, I adhere to my right to make weapons. Here, I would like to point out that I tried to commit suicide on March 15, 2012 in order to exercise some pressure on the state to recognize me. The Republic Procurator Lotfi Ben Jeddo was in the place and intervened promising me of trying to find me a solution.
I was displeased when the next day I accompanied Ben Jeddo to Kasserine’s Governor to seek the promised solution, which to my surprise was a job offer as a school guard!
Have any non-security parties contacted you to exploit your abilities?
Shortly before the revolution, some parties of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb contacted me and asked me to join them. They showed me some video clips documenting operations against the Algerian gendarmerie.
Have you considered their offer?
In the beginning, I was very enthusiastic, but after the revolution, I reconsidered the offer and never heard from them again. I am concerned about the best interest of Tunisia and I promise the Tunisian government there will be a major surprise if they do not enable me to use my skills in the interest of the country.
Is that a threat?
I am not going to harm any person or entity, whether public or private, but I will plan a surprise to highlight the marginalization and exclusion policy pursued by the state against Tunisian minds and expertise.