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Guantanamo Five could be 'a terrorist threat to Britain'
Last updated at 00:07am on 13.08.07
Shaker Aamer from Saudi Arabia: 'Translator for Bin Laden'
US officials disclosed details days after Gordon Brown's surprise decision to call for their release.
None of the men is a British national but were all legally resident in the UK before they were detained and taken to the notorious US detention camp.
America is still considering the request but Sandra Hodgkinson, who is in charge of US detention policy, warned that the five might try to carry out terror attacks if they were freed.
Reading from newly declassified files, she alleged that Shaker Aamer, 38, a Saudi national granted leave to remain in Britain, had been living in Afghanistan funded by Osama Bin Laden and working as his translator.
She said that Jamil el-Banna, 44, a Jordanian, had a "long-term association" with Iraqi terror chief al-Zarqawi, who was responsible for the murder of Briton Ken Bigley.
El-Banna came to Britain in 1994 and was granted asylum in 2000.
In 2003 he left London and was captured in the Gambia trying to board an aircraft with equipment which resembled a homemade electronic device.
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Jordanian: Jamil el-Banna Algerian: Abdennour Sameur
A third suspect, Omar Deghayes, 37, a Libyan, was described as a "jihadi veteran" of the Bosnian war.
Lawyer Clive Stafford Smith, who represents the men, dismissed the allegations as "a blatant attempt to smear my clients".
The other two men are Binyam Mohamed, who lived in Kensington, west London, and had applied for asylum from Ethiopia, and Abdennour Sameur, a refugee from Algeria who lived in Bournemouth.
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Ethiopian: Binyam Mohamed Libyan: Omar Deghayes
A Foreign Office source indicated that the Government was prepared for "long and complex negotiations with the US", adding: "Clearly the US would not release them and the UK would not be requesting their return if they were a risk to international or national security."
But the Conservatives challenged Home Secretary Jacqui Smith to explain how she would ensure the men caused no harm.
A Home Office spokesman said national security was Miss Smith's "foremost concern" but that the request still stood.
Reader views (21)
Why does Britain we end up being the scrap heap of the world. They are not British citizens so why do we want them, if they are to go anywhere, send them back to their origin. The human rights of all true Britains will be violated by these extremist people, and as has been proved before, Britain will not be thanked by them for doing this. I will even bet that as soon as they are here they will be planning some terror campain against those who helped them, so watch out Jaqui Smith.
- Tony Salsi, Welwyn Garden City, Herts, UK
I'm so angry at this outrage that I cannot type it as it would be so rude it would not be published. Keep those murdering parasites where they cannot harm innocents. Does brown think that the U.S.A. jailed these men for stealing ice cream? The man is a fool, only the next general election can stop this maniac and his army of vote winners from ruining this once great country.
- John Mckivitt, Jarrow
Is importing possible terrorists an infringement of OUR HUMAN RIGHTS?
- Ian Walsh, Penrhyndeudraeth, Cymru
Why does Gorden Clown want to bring them back here for? Let them rot where they are, no one wants them here. When is this government going to start listening to the folk on the streets?
- Sandra T, Bolton, Lancs
Perhaps we could empty our own jails of all the foreign undesirables and ship them off to Guantanomo as well. Come to think of - I think that most of the Labour party should be sent as well. Perhaps then we might get OUR country back. I'm sure good old Gord would look nice in orange!
- Thelma Hornibrook, Essex
Why do they want them back here?
- Jacqueline, Hampstead, London
"The first duty of government is to protect its citizens" ring any bells Brown? The Labour party makes my flesh crawl.
- Maurice Oatley, Rothley Leicestershire
Oh well, more votes for Labour then.
- P Worthington, Derby, UK
Why do we want these people here, for what purpose, is it in the national interest?
It pays to remember that they were not picked up on the High Street or in Tesco’s car park, we owe them nothing, they have already been given at least one chance to start again,
There are already more terrorist suspects here for the security services to keep an eye on, than they can handle, why add to the number?
These and others like them were given leave to stay here because of a supposed threat against them, as it turns out quite the reverse is true.
- C Bennett, Swansea, Wales
These men are not British, why on earth are we calling for their release and return to the UK? They should be barred from entering Europe. Have people forgot they were picked up fighting against the British and American troops in Afganistan or Pakistan? This government is more concerned about the rights of immigrants than the safety of it citizens. Absolutely disgusting and shameful.
- Brandon Thomas, London UK
If these men are brought back they will cost the taxpayers a fortune, whilst the authorities watch them 24/7. I am sorry but they were granted refugee status. Why were the picked up here and there if they wanted to seek refuge and safety in the UK? I think this would be a mistake to allow them back, we have enough problems here.
- Hazel Smith, London
God almighty! Is there no one who can remember the all the bad things Tony Blair did and the fact that Gordon Brown signed up to them?
Why on earth is Labour 10 points ahead of the Conservatives? The fault of David Cameron - bring back Hague quickly.
- Wendy Slark, Shropshire
Yet more and more positive actions to islamify our country. Only when the complete islamification of this country has taken place will the Brown communists be happy. Then they will of course not be here, they will be somewhere safe.
- Stephen, Maidenhead
Send them back to their country of origin, before this Government has more blood on its hands!
- Sue, Orpington, Kent
Why on earth is the Government calling for the return of these 'people'. They don't even hold GB passports and let's face it anyone who wants one gets one these days. This country is a joke.
- Squiz, Islington
Our security forces are already over-stretched and hardly need 5 more possible radicals to monitor. Fine to call for their release - but why don't they go home to their own countries? Gordon Brown may be in a honeymoon period with voters, but I think many will be singularly unimpressed if these men are allowed back here.
- Ab, London
Good on you Gordon we now know where your priorities lie, and it's not with the safety of this country, but hey there could be a few votes in it.
- Pat, Sussex
It won't matter to the government, did you not know that there's an election coming up? Any brownie points that Brown can score will be scored, even if it means that people die as a consequence (as long as it's after the election).
- Pa Roddy, London
As if we don't have enough foreign undesirables in our country we cannot deport - the government wants to import more!
- Steve, Hereford
Well if the Pentagon says it, it must be true. It's not like they have a history of lying or anything!
- Daveb, London
Are they MAD? Leave them there to rot.
- Cuddly Duddly, Cuffley, England
