Tonight:
5°c
Mohamed in hiding after family reunion
Benedict Moore-Bridger24 Feb 2009
FORMER Guantanamo Bay prisoner Binyam Mohamed was in hiding today after being reunited with his family following his arrival at RAF Northolt.
The Ethiopian, who claims to have been tortured while in custody, says he wants to expose the "collusion" between UK security forces and his alleged abusers.
In a statement he described his ordeal as "an experience that I never thought to encounter in my darkest nightmares".
His lawyer Clive Stafford Smith has refused to confirm his location. He said: "He just wants to go to a place we've got him for tonight where he can be by himself with his sister and he can try to get his life together.
"He's not angry, he's sad. He's lost seven years of his life."
Mohamed, 30, first came to England from the US in 1994 and was granted exceptional leave to live here in 2000 which expired in 2004. He left in 2001 for Afghanistan in order "to kick a drug habit" but the American government suspected he had undergone al Qaeda training and arrested him in Pakistan in 2002 as he tried to return here on a fake passport.
He has been incarcerated at the US naval base in Cuba since 2004.
Reader views (13)
All readers'comments: oh so true!
- Cally, London, 25/02/2009 08:52
Report abuse
Some of you should be throughly ashamed for your negative comments. This is a victim of terrible injustice and horrific torture. If it can happen to him, it could happen to any UK tourest who travels abroad. Think about that. You could be next.
Nothing to fear, nothing to hide ? After a few hours of torture you will say anything just to make the pain stop.
- Clive Allen, Brighton, UK, 24/02/2009 22:30
Report abuse
is he hiding in the benifits office
- Dan, london, 24/02/2009 15:43
Report abuse
To kick a drug habit! Don't make me laugh. He fled to Afgahnistan where all the opium poppies florish (you get my drift I am sure).
- Coco A., NY, USA, 24/02/2009 14:18
Report abuse
He is here Jilly, because this country is governed by greedy lawyers, idiot judges and the luvvies in the media.
- Trevor, Southend UK, 24/02/2009 13:55
Report abuse
Why is he here and how much has this all cost us - private plane, legal aid, etc,etc.
- Jeremy E, London, 24/02/2009 13:47
Report abuse
So he missed his connecting flight then ?
- Brian Hughes, wales, 24/02/2009 13:21
Report abuse
So hang on, his residency expired in 2004 but he left for Afganistan in 2001 and a year later he was picked up ar an airport in Pakistan with a fake passport, yeah he innocent alright.
- Nick Nack Paddy Mac, Kilburn, London UK, 24/02/2009 13:20
Report abuse
I am trying to understand this. Why why why is he here?????
- Jilly, London, 24/02/2009 13:15
Report abuse
What a circus.
- P Staker, London, 24/02/2009 12:35
Report abuse
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm now why would an innocent go into hiding?????
- Sarah, London, 24/02/2009 11:44
Report abuse
Just what is this man doing back in Britain? He's a British Resident and was arrested with a false passport. That is enough evidence on its to remove his right of residency and deport him. Full stop.
- Thomas, London, 24/02/2009 11:40
Report abuse
Innocent people don't go to war zones and fly around with fake passports.
- John, London, 24/02/2009 10:45
Report abuse
