Vanessa Redgrave helps bail Guantanamo detainees 'who were members of al Qaeda terror cell'

Actress Vanessa Redgrave helped two terror suspects walk free yesterday when she paid £40,000 towards their bail fee.

The two former Guantanamo Bay detainees were released on to the streets of Britain yesterday despite being accused of being members of an al Qaeda cell.

Spanish authorities asked for their extradition on terrorism charges, claiming they were involved in extremist groups linked to the 9/11 attacks and bombings in Spain.

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Free: Jamil el-Banna outside the City of Westminster magistrates court today

However, both were set free and allowed to go back to their families after sureties totalling £100,000 - including the £40,000 from Redgrave - were put forward.

Jamil el-Banna appeared before City of Westminster Magistrates with a grey beard and waistlength hair, looking far older than his 45 years after spending the last five years in captivity.

Palestinian-born el-Banna, who speaks little English, looked overwhelmed as he was asked to confirm his details in court, and had to refer to a brown envelope for his former address in Dollis Hill, North-West London. He spoke in Arabic and his answers had to be translated.

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Omar Deghayes: Linked to man involved in Madrid bombings

Omar Deghayes, 38, was squinting through one eye after he was said to have lost the use of the other during his time in Guantanamo, where he claims he was tortured.

Both men were returned to Britain on Wednesday evening but were rearrested within hours after the Spanish extradition request.

A third man who was with them, Abdennour Sameur, 34, was initially held under the Terrorism Act 2000 but was released yesterday after a day of questioning at London's Paddington Green police station.

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Abdennour Sameur: Released without charge

The Spanish authorities claim el-Banna was an associate of Imad Eddin Barakat Yarkas, the leader of Madrid-based Al Qaeda group the Islamic Alliance who was jailed in connection with the September 11 attacks.

He is accused of being a member of the cell between June 1996 and July 2001.

Deghayes, who was born in Libya, is accused of being a member of the same cell between June 1996 and August 1999.

Supporters and campaigners including former detainees Moazzam Begg and Martin Mubanga crowded the public gallery as the court was told that he allegedly participated in terror attacks in Dagestan, southern Russia, and appeared in a video, found in Spain, aimed at recruiting new terror group members.

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Guantanamo: The three British residents were held without charge or trial

Senior District Judge Timothy Workman decided to grant bail until the extradition hearing on January 9 after hearing that the U.S. had been aware of the Spanish allegations and, despite detailed investigations, had not brought any charges.

Both men have been electronically tagged, and police officers will be required to check regularly that they are keeping to a strict curfew imposed by the court.

Later el-Banna arrived by taxi at his home where his five children, including a daughter born after he was detained, were waiting at the front door. He thanked his supporters before hugging and kissing his family.

Deghayes plans to stay with his mother in Brighton.

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