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Guantanamo inmate set for release Judge orders Guantanamo release
(30 minutes later)
A US judge has ordered the release of one of the youngest detainees at the US detention centre in Guantanamo Bay.A US judge has ordered the release of one of the youngest detainees at the US detention centre in Guantanamo Bay.
US District Court Judge Ellen Huvelle said Mohammed Jawad would be released by late August. US District Court Judge Ellen Huvelle said Mohammed Jawad would be released by late August. If so, he is expected to return home.
Mr Jawad was 12 when he was arrested in Afghanistan in 2002, his lawyer says, but 17 according to the Pentagon. He is expected to return home. But US lawyers say they have not yet decided whether to pursue a criminal case against him.
He had been accused of injuring two US soldiers and their interpreter by throwing a grenade at their vehicle. Mr Jawad has been accused of injuring two US soldiers and their interpreter by throwing a grenade at their vehicle.
US officials had said there was no military case for Mr Jawad's continued detention. He was 12 when he was arrested in Afghanistan in 2002, his lawyer says, but 17 according to the Pentagon. He has been held at the camp for the past six-and-a-half years.
Earlier, Mr Jawad's lawyer, Jonathan Haretz, told the BBC he was "cautiously optimistic" his client would be set free. Earlier, Mr Jawad's lawyer, Jonathan Hafetz, told the BBC he was "cautiously optimistic" his client would be set free.
"They've not produced any evidence so far and enough is enough. It's time for Mr Jawad to go home," he said."They've not produced any evidence so far and enough is enough. It's time for Mr Jawad to go home," he said.
Government lawyers had said they wished to keep Mr Jawad in detention to give them time to build a criminal case against him which could see him being prosecuted in a US courtroom. However, Mr Jawad could be sent to the US to stand trial if government lawyers decide to pursue a criminal case against him, the Associated Press reports.
But Mr Hafetz said this would be "another traumatising experience" for Mr Jawad and that the "nightmare will continue for no good reason". Speaking after her ruling, Judge Huvelle urged the US government not to do so.
"After this horrible, long, tortured history, I hope the government will succeed in getting him back home," she said.
"Enough has been imposed on this young man to date."
Mr Hafetz said it would be "another traumatising experience" for Mr Jawad and that the "nightmare will continue for no good reason".
The Afghan government has requested that he be sent home and in October 2008, a US military judge ruled confessions Mr Jawad had made were inadmissible because they were obtained under torture.The Afghan government has requested that he be sent home and in October 2008, a US military judge ruled confessions Mr Jawad had made were inadmissible because they were obtained under torture.
Closure pledgeClosure pledge
In July this year, Judge Huvelle described the US government's case against Mr Jawad as "an outrage" that was "riddled with holes".In July this year, Judge Huvelle described the US government's case against Mr Jawad as "an outrage" that was "riddled with holes".
MOHAMMED JAWAD Charged in Afghanistan in December 2002 for allegedly attacking a US military jeepClaims his confession was obtained using tortureUS government's case against him described by a judge as "riddled with holes"MOHAMMED JAWAD Charged in Afghanistan in December 2002 for allegedly attacking a US military jeepClaims his confession was obtained using tortureUS government's case against him described by a judge as "riddled with holes"
Observers say that if Mr Jawad is returned to Afghanistan it could mean that other Guantanamo detainees will also be released.Observers say that if Mr Jawad is returned to Afghanistan it could mean that other Guantanamo detainees will also be released.
Shortly after entering the White House, US President Barack Obama pledged to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay.Shortly after entering the White House, US President Barack Obama pledged to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay.
Since making the pledge, administration officials have been reviewing the case files of Guantanamo detainees in an attempt to determine which prisoners should face criminal trials, which should face military commissions, which should be released and which can neither be tried nor released.Since making the pledge, administration officials have been reviewing the case files of Guantanamo detainees in an attempt to determine which prisoners should face criminal trials, which should face military commissions, which should be released and which can neither be tried nor released.
Mr Obama has said he wants the camp to be closed by January 2010.Mr Obama has said he wants the camp to be closed by January 2010.