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Guantanamo inmate 'released soon' | Guantanamo inmate 'released soon' |
(20 minutes later) | |
A British detainee held at Guantanamo Bay is to be released "as soon as practical arrangements can be made", the Foreign Office has said. | A British detainee held at Guantanamo Bay is to be released "as soon as practical arrangements can be made", the Foreign Office has said. |
Binyam Mohamed, 30, will return to the UK after more than four years at the controversial US military base in Cuba. | Binyam Mohamed, 30, will return to the UK after more than four years at the controversial US military base in Cuba. |
Foreign Secretary David Miliband said agreement had been reached between the UK and US governments on his transfer. | Foreign Secretary David Miliband said agreement had been reached between the UK and US governments on his transfer. |
But the UK government will not press for the remaining UK resident Shaker Aamer to be freed, the BBC has learned. | |
The US government has previously refused requests to release Mr Aamer and a Foreign Office spokesman said Britain is "no longer in active discussions" for his release. | |
'Huge relief' | |
Mr Mohamed, who was arrested in Pakistan, claims he was tortured into falsely confessing to terrorism and alleges MI5 officers were complicit in his abuse. | |
The Ethiopian-born detainee has been held at Guantanamo since September 2004.Protests to free Mr Mohamed outside the US Embassy in London | |
Earlier this year he went on hunger strike for more than a month, and was described by his legal team as "close to starvation". | Earlier this year he went on hunger strike for more than a month, and was described by his legal team as "close to starvation". |
He was declared well enough to travel back to the UK last weekend by a team of British officials who had visited him. | |
The US Department of Justice declined to comment on the individual case of Mr Mohamed and said it was policy not to do so until a transfer had actually happened. | The US Department of Justice declined to comment on the individual case of Mr Mohamed and said it was policy not to do so until a transfer had actually happened. |
Amnesty International said the release would be a "huge relief" but called for other prisoners to also be immediately freed or allowed fair trials. | Amnesty International said the release would be a "huge relief" but called for other prisoners to also be immediately freed or allowed fair trials. |
UK director Kate Allen said: "It's nothing short of a disgrace that Binyam has been held in harsh conditions for all these years, having to resort to a hunger strike to raise awareness of his plight." | UK director Kate Allen said: "It's nothing short of a disgrace that Binyam has been held in harsh conditions for all these years, having to resort to a hunger strike to raise awareness of his plight." |
The attorney general has a huge responsibility on her shoulders Edward Davey, Liberal Democrat | |
Campaign group Reprieve also welcomed the news. | Campaign group Reprieve also welcomed the news. |
Director Clive Stafford Smith said: "This is truly wonderful news for Binyam Mohamed, who wants nothing more than to return to normal life in Britain." | Director Clive Stafford Smith said: "This is truly wonderful news for Binyam Mohamed, who wants nothing more than to return to normal life in Britain." |
Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesman Edward Davey said the release was "long overdue". | Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesman Edward Davey said the release was "long overdue". |
He said: "With Mr Mohamed back in the UK, the government will have to come clean over any British role in his alleged rendition and torture. | He said: "With Mr Mohamed back in the UK, the government will have to come clean over any British role in his alleged rendition and torture. |
"The attorney general has a huge responsibility on her shoulders. There can be no political influence into the direction of this investigation. | "The attorney general has a huge responsibility on her shoulders. There can be no political influence into the direction of this investigation. |
"Britain's international reputation is on the line. The only way we can move forward is through open justice." | "Britain's international reputation is on the line. The only way we can move forward is through open justice." |