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Shaker Aamer has post-traumatic stress disorder, lawyer says Shaker Aamer has post-traumatic stress disorder, lawyer says
(35 minutes later)
Shaker Aamer, the Guantánamo Bay detainee who was finally returned to the UK after 14 years in captivity, is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, one of his lawyers has said.Shaker Aamer, the Guantánamo Bay detainee who was finally returned to the UK after 14 years in captivity, is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, one of his lawyers has said.
Aamer became the last British resident to be released from the US detention centre when he was returned to the UK on a private plane from Cuba on Friday.Aamer became the last British resident to be released from the US detention centre when he was returned to the UK on a private plane from Cuba on Friday.
He is believed to have been undergoing medical tests since his return and Ramzi Kassem, a law professor at the City University of New York’s school of law who is involved in the case, said Aamer was suffering from a number of conditions.He is believed to have been undergoing medical tests since his return and Ramzi Kassem, a law professor at the City University of New York’s school of law who is involved in the case, said Aamer was suffering from a number of conditions.
He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “He suffers from a number of conditions both physical and psychological, including post-traumatic stress disorder on the severe end of the PTSD spectrum.”He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “He suffers from a number of conditions both physical and psychological, including post-traumatic stress disorder on the severe end of the PTSD spectrum.”
Related: Before Shaker Aamer: others who made it back to Britain from Guantánamo Bay
Kassem said he told Aamer five weeks ago that he was about to be released but said it did not “register” initially. He later broke out into a huge smile when he realised there was light at the end of the tunnel, the lawyer said.Kassem said he told Aamer five weeks ago that he was about to be released but said it did not “register” initially. He later broke out into a huge smile when he realised there was light at the end of the tunnel, the lawyer said.
The former hostage Terry Waite, who was held captive for 1,760 days after going to Beirut in 1987 to negotiate the release of several hostages there, urged Aamer to withdraw from public view for a while.The former hostage Terry Waite, who was held captive for 1,760 days after going to Beirut in 1987 to negotiate the release of several hostages there, urged Aamer to withdraw from public view for a while.
He told Today: “He has suffered a grave injustice. Whatever the background, to keep someone for 13 years without charge is really beyond the pale.”He told Today: “He has suffered a grave injustice. Whatever the background, to keep someone for 13 years without charge is really beyond the pale.”
Waite likened release to deep sea diving. “If you come up too quickly you get the bends. If you take it one step at a time and be patient, things could work out in a very good and creative way.”Waite likened release to deep sea diving. “If you come up too quickly you get the bends. If you take it one step at a time and be patient, things could work out in a very good and creative way.”
Waite said Aamer needed to be careful about making any public statements in the near future because he may say things he later regrets.Waite said Aamer needed to be careful about making any public statements in the near future because he may say things he later regrets.
“The best thing is for him to withdraw for a while to get the treatment that’s necessary,” he said.“The best thing is for him to withdraw for a while to get the treatment that’s necessary,” he said.
It is understood the father of four, who is receiving treatment in hospital, has already been reunited with his wife, Zin Siddique.It is understood the father of four, who is receiving treatment in hospital, has already been reunited with his wife, Zin Siddique.
He is due to meet all of his children this weekend, including his youngest, son Faris, who was born on the same day Aamer arrived at Guantánamo.He is due to meet all of his children this weekend, including his youngest, son Faris, who was born on the same day Aamer arrived at Guantánamo.
Related: Shaker Aamer's Guantánamo detention is a shameful episode for Britain
Aamer is expected to bring legal proceedings against the British government over its alleged complicity in his mistreatment.Aamer is expected to bring legal proceedings against the British government over its alleged complicity in his mistreatment.
A source said: “Proceedings were initiated some years ago on his behalf that could not be followed until his return to the UK. They will now, undoubtedly, be progressed.”A source said: “Proceedings were initiated some years ago on his behalf that could not be followed until his return to the UK. They will now, undoubtedly, be progressed.”
Aamer paid an emotional tribute to those who fought for his release after he returned to the UK.Aamer paid an emotional tribute to those who fought for his release after he returned to the UK.
The 48-year-old arrived on a private plane at Biggin Hill airport in south-east London. In a statement, he said: “The reason I have been strong is because of the support of people so strongly devoted to the truth.The 48-year-old arrived on a private plane at Biggin Hill airport in south-east London. In a statement, he said: “The reason I have been strong is because of the support of people so strongly devoted to the truth.
“If I was the fire to be lit to tell the truth, it was the people who protected the fire from the wind.“If I was the fire to be lit to tell the truth, it was the people who protected the fire from the wind.
“I am overwhelmed by what people have done by their actions, their thoughts and their prayers and without their devotion to justice I would not be here in Britain now.”“I am overwhelmed by what people have done by their actions, their thoughts and their prayers and without their devotion to justice I would not be here in Britain now.”