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Guantanamo three returning to UK Guantanamo three returning to UK
(about 1 hour later)
Three British residents held by the US at Guantanamo Bay have been released after more than four-and-a-half years and will arrive back in the UK later.Three British residents held by the US at Guantanamo Bay have been released after more than four-and-a-half years and will arrive back in the UK later.
Jamil el-Banna, Omar Deghayes and Abdenour Samuer are on board a chartered aircraft along with a doctor and Metropolitan Police officers.Jamil el-Banna, Omar Deghayes and Abdenour Samuer are on board a chartered aircraft along with a doctor and Metropolitan Police officers.
The men's lawyers said their clients had all agreed to "voluntary security arrangements" upon their return home.The men's lawyers said their clients had all agreed to "voluntary security arrangements" upon their return home.
The government said their immigration status would be reviewed immediately.The government said their immigration status would be reviewed immediately.
Another freed UK resident , Shaker Abdur-Raheem Aamer, is expected to return to his native Saudi Arabia. Another freed UK resident, Shaker Abdur-Raheem Aamer, is expected to return to his native Saudi Arabia.
A fifth UK resident, Ethiopian Binyam Mohammed, will remain at Guantanamo.A fifth UK resident, Ethiopian Binyam Mohammed, will remain at Guantanamo.
'Brutal treatment' Police interviews
A Home Office statement said the US had agreed to the releases on 10 December. The three men are expected to land at Luton Airport at about 1900 BST.
A Home Office statement said the US had agreed to their release on 10 December.
"This does not imply a commitment on our part that they can remain permanently in the UK and their immigration status will be reviewed immediately following their return," the statement added."This does not imply a commitment on our part that they can remain permanently in the UK and their immigration status will be reviewed immediately following their return," the statement added.
We agreed to exactly what the British government wanted because our clients have absolutely nothing to hide Lawyer Clive Stafford-Smith
The men's lawyer, Clive Stafford-Smith, said: "All of our clients have voluntarily agreed to voluntary security arrangements requested by the British government.
"I can't talk about the details because that's what the British government asked.
"We agreed to exactly what the British government wanted because our clients have absolutely nothing to hide."
He said one of the men, Mr Deghayes, had been blinded in his right eye as a result of "US mistreatment" at Guantanamo.
The men are expected to be taken to the high-security Paddington Green police station in London to be interviewed.
But Mr Stafford-Smith said he expected the men to be released without charge after questioning on Wednesday night or Thursday morning.
'Brutal treatment'
BBC security correspondent Gordon Corera said it was possible the men could be arrested and made subject to measures including control orders.
I'm extremely relieved that Omar's ordeal is finally coming to end after over five years of suffering in Guantanamo Amani DeghayesI'm extremely relieved that Omar's ordeal is finally coming to end after over five years of suffering in Guantanamo Amani Deghayes
The three released men were accompanied by officers from the Met's counter-terrorism unit as well as uniformed officers, whose presence was requested by the Foreign Office. Mr Deghayes' sister, Amani, said his family would be concentrating on helping him to put his ordeal behind him.
Omar Deghayes' sister, Amani, said his family would be concentrating on helping him to put his ordeal behind him.
"I'm extremely relieved that Omar's ordeal is finally coming to end after over five years of suffering in Guantanamo," she said."I'm extremely relieved that Omar's ordeal is finally coming to end after over five years of suffering in Guantanamo," she said.
"We're looking forward to spending the Eid as family together.""We're looking forward to spending the Eid as family together."
She said her brother had been on the receiving end of "brutal and illegal treatment".She said her brother had been on the receiving end of "brutal and illegal treatment".
Human rights solicitor Gareth Peirce, who has previously represented two of the men, said their families could not wait to see them.Human rights solicitor Gareth Peirce, who has previously represented two of the men, said their families could not wait to see them.
"It happens that today is Eid so it is particularly poignant.""It happens that today is Eid so it is particularly poignant."
'Dangerous' accusation'Dangerous' accusation
The Americans accuse Palestinian Mr el-Banna of being an al-Qaeda recruiter and financier, Libyan Mr Deghayes of associating with al-Qaeda, and Algerian Mr Sameur of being trained for combat in Afghanistan.The Americans accuse Palestinian Mr el-Banna of being an al-Qaeda recruiter and financier, Libyan Mr Deghayes of associating with al-Qaeda, and Algerian Mr Sameur of being trained for combat in Afghanistan.
There have been intensive negotiations between the UK and US authorities over the past few months.There have been intensive negotiations between the UK and US authorities over the past few months.
It's important that the government speaks out about the hundreds of men still held there - including at least two other men with ties to Britain Kate AllenAmnesty International
The Pentagon insists that all five of the British residents are dangerous.The Pentagon insists that all five of the British residents are dangerous.
About 300 prisoners are held at Guantanamo Bay, set up at a US naval base in Cuba after the invasion of Afghanistan in early 2002.About 300 prisoners are held at Guantanamo Bay, set up at a US naval base in Cuba after the invasion of Afghanistan in early 2002.
The US argues that foreign nationals captured and detained outside the US have no recognisable constitutional rights.The US argues that foreign nationals captured and detained outside the US have no recognisable constitutional rights.
It's important that the government speaks out about the hundreds of men still held there - including at least two other men with ties to Britain Kate AllenAmnesty International
Amnesty International's UK director, Kate Allen, welcomed the release of the three men and said they should be treated "first and foremost as victims of a serious miscarriage of justice".Amnesty International's UK director, Kate Allen, welcomed the release of the three men and said they should be treated "first and foremost as victims of a serious miscarriage of justice".
"It's important that the government speaks out about the hundreds of men still held there - including at least two other men with ties to Britain - Ahmed Belbacha and Binyam Mohammed. These men must not become Guantanamo's forgotten prisoners.""It's important that the government speaks out about the hundreds of men still held there - including at least two other men with ties to Britain - Ahmed Belbacha and Binyam Mohammed. These men must not become Guantanamo's forgotten prisoners."
She called on ministers to condemn the practices of rendition and secret detention, which the organisation claims "have fed the system at Guantanamo in the past six years".She called on ministers to condemn the practices of rendition and secret detention, which the organisation claims "have fed the system at Guantanamo in the past six years".
Meanwhile, the Conservatives say the government has failed to give assurances on "issues of national security" posed by the men.
Shadow home secretary David Davis said: "Does the home secretary agree with the US that these men are extremely dangerous?
"If so, how will the government guarantee the safety of the British public when they arrive in the UK?"