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Last British detainee in Guantánamo Bay to be released Last British detainee in Guantánamo Bay to be released
(34 minutes later)
Shaker Aamer, the last British resident held in Guántanamo Bay, is to be released to the UK, a British government spokesman said. The US is to release Shaker Aamer, the last British resident to be held at Guantánamo Bay, after 13 years.
More follows... The British government said Aamer would be released after a notice period that usually lasts 30 days, and then can finally be reunited with his family.
“The government has regularly raised Mr Aamer’s case with the US authorities and we support President Obama’s commitment to closing the detention facility at Guantánamo Bay,” the spokesman said.
“In terms of next steps, we understand that the US government has notified Congress of this decision and once that notice period has been concluded, Mr Aamer will be returned to the UK.
“As the US has said, we have one of the most robust and effective systems in the world to deal with suspected terrorists and those suspected of engaging in terrorist related activity and we will continue to do all we can to protect people in Britain and around the world from the threat of terrorism.”
Barack Obama is believed to have informed David Cameron of the decision during a phone call on Thursday.
According to senior US defence sources, Aamer’s release was approved following a “thorough review of his case and taking into consideration the robust security assurances that will be provided by the British government”.
The 46-year-old Saudi national, who has a British wife and four British children living in south London, was originally detained in Afghanistan in 2001. He has worked as a solicitor’s translator and has indefinite leave to remain in the UK.
He was applying for British citizenship when he took his family to Kabul, and was seized by troops fighting alongside US forces. He was subsequently transferred to Guantánamo Bay, where he has been held without charge.
Aamer was known at times in Guantánamo as “detainee number 239” and became well-known among guards because of his eloquence and leadership amongst other inmates.
He was instrumental in leading one hunger strike and then ending it, and according to one senior US officer he was greeted like a rock star by fellow detainees.
Over 100 people remain in Guantánamo, which President Obama wishes to close in the face of stiff opposition.