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Guantanamo 'torture' prisoner returns to UK
Martin Bentham, Home Affairs Editor23 Feb 2009
GUANTANAMO Bay detainee Binyam Mohamed returned to Britain today after more than four years of detention by the US military.
Mr Mohamed, 30, arrived at RAF Northolt after his release from the base in Cuba and was due to be met by a doctor, lawyers, family and friends. His sister Zuhra said: "I am so glad and so happy. I am so thankful for everything that was done for Binyam to make this day come true."
Mr Mohamed, an Ethiopian citizen who lived in Britain before his detention in Pakistan, had been accused by the US of plotting to detonate a bomb in America. Charges were dropped this year.
He could face questioning by British police, but his lawyer, Clive Stafford Smith, said he expected ministers would approve his rapid release once he had cleared border checks. Mr Stafford Smith added: "He has suffered more than any human being should ever suffer. He just wants to go somewhere quiet and try to recover."
Mr Mohamed was arrested in Pakistan in 2002 soon after America launched its war on terror and claims he was secretly flown to Morocco and tortured before being moved to Afghanistan and then Cuba in 2004. He alleges he was tortured into falsely confessing to terrorist activities and claims MI5 officers were complicit in his abuse. The Attorney General is consulting the Director of Public Prosecutions over whether to order a criminal investigation into the claims.
Two High Court judges have complained they were blocked by Foreign Secretary David Miliband from releasing information relating to Mr Mohamed's case for national security reasons.
Mr Miliband said no decision had been taken over whether Mr Mohamed can stay in the UK adding that his immigration status would be reviewed "and the same security considerations will apply to him as would apply to any other foreign national".
Reader views (31)
Binman isn't a UK citizen, so why should he get benefits, housing, freebies etc., when so many UK citizens are being denied same? Where's the justice in that?
- Joannie, London, England, 24/02/2009 09:28
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Yes, I agree with Peter Saunders, London. What a valid point! Why do they insist on calling him a BRIT????? Can any foreign suspect terrorist come here and be a brit then??? Seems so. I am so livid... so livid...I actually hate this government, Gordon Brown and all his cronies and what Nulabour have done to this country.
- Linda, LONDON ENGLAND, 24/02/2009 09:06
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...this country is dying before our very eyes. When will the citizens of Britain rise up and force this group of communist dross from power...? I weep for the future...
- Andrew, London, UK, 24/02/2009 00:33
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I don't know. this guy turns up in England the same day that the army have a parade in London for some of our returning heroes.
Have the government no sensitivity? Didn't they even think of how his terrorists rights may have been effected having to see these brave men not just walking, but parading in their own country. disgusting!
- Jimbob, Kensington, 24/02/2009 00:16
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If he came here as a refugee, what was he doing travelling around Afghanistan and Pakistan? Where did he get money to travel? If he was given leave to stay here, he should have been working and contributing to the nation which gave him asylum. If his immigration status had not been resolved how did he leave the country; what document did he use? He is not the only one who wants the truth; we do too.
- Beatriz, London, 23/02/2009 23:14
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He said he was in Afghanistan because he wanted to see a Muslim country, but having spent time in a Muslim country, Marrocco, he is now complaining. Some people are never satisfied.
- Sue Rochester, London, 23/02/2009 21:22
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"I find it impossible to believe that someone was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time which led to them being imprisoned for 4 years."
Isn't that the point, for goodness sakes!? Has he come out with a credible response as to why he was where he was under the prevailing circumstances of the time? The "I hate the USA so the man must be innocent" crowd don't seem to be too interested in the answer.
- Rogan, Irving, 23/02/2009 21:20
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I find it impossible to believe that someone was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time which led to them being imprisoned for 4 years.
- John, Edgware MIDDLESEX, 23/02/2009 19:10
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The US would not have held this man without having evidence against him. I mean, they didn't invade Iraq without evidence did they?
- John, arezzo, italy, 23/02/2009 18:55
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DEPORT HIM, he is not British
- Anne,, Devon, 23/02/2009 18:37
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I've said it before and I'll say it again to all you fools who voted this shameless excuse for a government in 3 times; it's all your fault.
- Andrew E, Leaving the sinking ship England, 23/02/2009 18:11
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The question is if he is an innocent party and simply a bystander caught up in events then the torture he has been subjected to is absolutely horrific. But if he did attend training camps and was involved in a conspiracy, and didn't own up voluntarily, then he deserves all he got. He should have expected nothing less.
- Dhanraj, basildon, 23/02/2009 18:05
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M.Lawrence, my thoughts exactly!
- Minnie, London, UK, 23/02/2009 17:57
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Who paid his fare from UK to wherever he was picked up by the Americans?
He must like it there, send him back.
- Ann Louisa, Southampton, 23/02/2009 17:49
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I can't believe that this loony government has let this terrorist suspect into the country. It is absolutely shocking that someone like him, who is not even a UK citizen is flown hear, cost free and his rotten lawyers are no doubt feeding theselves to a frenzy on their 'uman rights' agenda's. It will be costing the country millions and the loony left will be rubbing their hands that they have another martyr. Milliband isn't fit to be Home Secretary and the BBC is going out full steam to give Mohamad as much publicity as possible. What a rotten country we live in.
- M Lawrence, deal. kent, 23/02/2009 17:25
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What the hell is going on? A private plane, Lawyers, Medical aid facilities, and as has been previously said our poor troops come home in a box or filthy planes. Enough is enough. Get rid of this rubbish now and if 'Liberty' complain get rid of them to.
- Geoff, In the country, 23/02/2009 17:23
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This is why i have lost faith in our Parliment Westminister. The three parties are to blame for the way this country is going. Enough is enough with do gooders and loony lefties holing the nation to ransom and the EUU well it get funnier and funnier. The general election when it comes will change the political spectram for ever. The sooner the better.
- Joe, Swanley Kent, 23/02/2009 16:58
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Mr Miliband said "...the same security considerations will apply to him as would apply to any other foreign national". In other words HE CAN STAY AS LONG AS HE LIKES. Immediately after the plane hijack at Stansted several years ago, this Government said that the people involvbed would NOT be allowed to stay - they're ALL still here. This NON-BRIT will use Human Rights legislation to do exactly the same thing. He'll go onto benefits and probably sue the British govt for compensation at the same time. Will this Labour government ever learn!!!
- Malcolm, London, 23/02/2009 16:50
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Milliband thinks he has done some good for the british public, boy is he gonna get a shock at the next general election.This gov is not fit for purpose and should call it immediately.
- Chris, London, 23/02/2009 16:44
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Put him onto the next flight to Ethiopia and if they don't want him send him back to Pakistan where he was supposed to have been abducted from.
- Dennis, Taplow. U.K., 23/02/2009 16:25
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He's not a Briton
He's not British
He and his family (if they are real) have no right of residency in the UK
He was detained thousands of miles away in a war zone.
Waht's he doing back in the UK again - it's nothing to do with us.
- Cap, london, 23/02/2009 16:15
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send this guy immediately to his home country that is ethiopia. and dont allow any people on the basis of asylem .
- Venkaiah, india, 23/02/2009 16:11
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The Lawyers were there waiting for him... wonder why?, they can prob see a good payday coming....He also needs to be deported back to Ethiopia pronto
- Dc, London, 23/02/2009 15:37
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The UK supports the US, and the US tortures people. Therefore, the UK is complicit in torture. Anyone who tolerates this is sick.
- Neil M., london uk,, 23/02/2009 15:25
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This man was given temporary leave to stay in Britain. He chose to leave and that should be the end of the story. If there was the least bit of openness and integrity in this government it should publish what this man has already cost Britain in terms of welfare, benefits housing ect.
- Ciccio, Toronto, Canada., 23/02/2009 15:24
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He was there for a reason, have we forgot why he was picked up in PAKISTAN, thee known country for terrorist training camps after coming from AFGANISTAN, the other known safe haven for terrorist training camps? This ultra left regime would rather welcome known terrorists than Dutch MP's and something must be done about this ASAP as our safety as a nation has seriously diminished under this government.
- Brandon Thomas, SW7, London UK, 23/02/2009 15:10
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Anyone for a compensation claim and some human rights from Brussels?
- Mike, london, 23/02/2009 14:49
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Why does the press insist on calling this terrorist suspect a 'Brit' - he is NOT !!!!!!
- Peter Saunders, London, 23/02/2009 14:46
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I cannot believe this undesirable should set foot back in our country after only temporary leave to be here in the first place. Any allegation of torture it seems they become innocent of everything. Who paid for him to go to a war zone ?
- Michael Waugh, South Kensington, 23/02/2009 14:41
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HE IS NOT A 'BRIT.'
- Steve, London, 23/02/2009 14:16
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I am confused again! What has this man got to do with the UK? Why could he not have been transported directly to his home in Ethiopia? Why does an asylum seeker in the UK find it necessary to go to Afghanistan and Pakistan? I am obviously missing something simple here.
- Roy G, Solihull, ENGLAND, 23/02/2009 14:00
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