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Detainee brother feels 'betrayed' | Detainee brother feels 'betrayed' |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The brother of a British resident held at Guantanamo Bay has told the BBC he feels "betrayed" by Foreign Secretary David Miliband. | The brother of a British resident held at Guantanamo Bay has told the BBC he feels "betrayed" by Foreign Secretary David Miliband. |
Dr Benhur Mohamed told Radio 5 Live he wrote to Mr Miliband asking him to help his 30-year-old brother Binyam, who claims he was tortured. | |
Dr Mohamed said it was "very cruel" of the minister not to reply. | Dr Mohamed said it was "very cruel" of the minister not to reply. |
Mr Miliband has defended his decision not to release details of the case on the grounds of national security. | Mr Miliband has defended his decision not to release details of the case on the grounds of national security. |
"It is US information and it is for the US to decide when to publish their information," he added. | |
It's very cruel from a person who is elected to protect humanity and freedom and the rule of law Dr Benhur Mohamed Profile: Binyam MohamedTensions over Guantanamo case | |
Binyam Mohamed, 30, has been held at Guantanamo Bay for four years after being accused by the US authorities of planning a terrorist attack. | |
He alleges he was tortured while being questioned in Pakistan, Morocco and Afghanistan, and that UK intelligence agencies were complicit in the practice. | He alleges he was tortured while being questioned in Pakistan, Morocco and Afghanistan, and that UK intelligence agencies were complicit in the practice. |
On Wednesday, two British judges claimed that the US threatened to stop sharing intelligence with the UK if it made public details of Mr Mohamed's treatment. | On Wednesday, two British judges claimed that the US threatened to stop sharing intelligence with the UK if it made public details of Mr Mohamed's treatment. |
But the foreign secretary said there had been "no threat" from the US and insisted that intelligence co-operation "depends on confidentiality". | But the foreign secretary said there had been "no threat" from the US and insisted that intelligence co-operation "depends on confidentiality". |
'Begging' | 'Begging' |
Speaking to the BBC, Dr Mohamed said he believed Mr Miliband had failed to protect his brother's human rights. | Speaking to the BBC, Dr Mohamed said he believed Mr Miliband had failed to protect his brother's human rights. |
"I did write to Mr Miliband, but I didn't get any answer from him," he said. "I was truly begging him to do something about Binyam, that was my plea, but I didn't hear anything. | "I did write to Mr Miliband, but I didn't get any answer from him," he said. "I was truly begging him to do something about Binyam, that was my plea, but I didn't hear anything. |
"I feel very sad, I feel betrayed. It's very cruel from a person who is elected by the people to protect humanity and freedom and the rule of law." | "I feel very sad, I feel betrayed. It's very cruel from a person who is elected by the people to protect humanity and freedom and the rule of law." |
Dr Mohamed said his brother was a "quiet" and "helpful" person. | Dr Mohamed said his brother was a "quiet" and "helpful" person. |
"He is very supportive and very considerate. He is not the kind of person who would want to hurt anybody," he said. | "He is very supportive and very considerate. He is not the kind of person who would want to hurt anybody," he said. |
The decision to block the release of information about his brother's detention was "unacceptable," Dr Mohamed added. | The decision to block the release of information about his brother's detention was "unacceptable," Dr Mohamed added. |
Miliband: 'We would never condone torture' | |
The government has insisted that the UK had never "condoned the use of torture". | The government has insisted that the UK had never "condoned the use of torture". |
And in a statement, the White House thanked the UK government "for its continued commitment to protect sensitive national security information". | And in a statement, the White House thanked the UK government "for its continued commitment to protect sensitive national security information". |
Mr Miliband insisted he had not "rolled over" in the face of American pressure and was in fact protecting Britain's national interests. | Mr Miliband insisted he had not "rolled over" in the face of American pressure and was in fact protecting Britain's national interests. |
"If I authorise the sharing of information with another country I don't want them [the judges] to jeopardise our intelligence service by releasing that information against our will," he told the BBC's Newsnight. | "If I authorise the sharing of information with another country I don't want them [the judges] to jeopardise our intelligence service by releasing that information against our will," he told the BBC's Newsnight. |
Binyam Mohamed's US military lawyer said the US authorities were withholding information about her client's alleged torture in order to save face. | Binyam Mohamed's US military lawyer said the US authorities were withholding information about her client's alleged torture in order to save face. |
Ltd Colonel Yvonne Bradley - who visited Binyam Mohammed at Guantanamo bay last week - said: "What the US is doing right now is not so much about national security or intelligence - it's about being embarrassed. | Ltd Colonel Yvonne Bradley - who visited Binyam Mohammed at Guantanamo bay last week - said: "What the US is doing right now is not so much about national security or intelligence - it's about being embarrassed. |
The Conservatives said the ruling raised "serious questions" and urged ministers to make a statement on the issue on Thursday. | The Conservatives said the ruling raised "serious questions" and urged ministers to make a statement on the issue on Thursday. |