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20/02/2004
Britain's Guantanamo detainees to face anti-terror probes
The five Britons, set to be released from Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, are being investigated by anti-terror police, it has emerged today.
It was announced yesterday that five of the nine British detainees held at Guantanamo Bay – Rhuhel Ahmed; Tarek Dergoul; Jamal Al Harith; Asif Iqbal; and Shafiq Rasul – would return to the UK within a few weeks. But there was confusion yesterday over what the detainees could expect when repatriated after the Home Secretary said that none of the men posed a threat to UK national security.
But today it has been confirmed that the five will face anti-terror probes. The US had stipulated, through its envoy Pierre-Richard Prosper, that the detainees were terror suspects and should be "managed" by authorities after their release.
The police will consider whether to arrest them under the Terrorism Act 2000 for questioning in connection with possible terrorist activity.
The US had drawn up plans to try detainees in courts set along the lines of military commissions. However, the British government remained opposed to this form of trial, saying that it does not comply with international law.
As regards the remaining four detainees – Feroz Abbasi; Moazzam Begg; Richard Belmar; Martin Mubanga – Mr Straw said that there were a range of security and related issues which needed to be considered.
"But our position remains that the detainees should either be tried in accordance with international standards or they should be returned to the UK," he said.
(gmcg)
It was announced yesterday that five of the nine British detainees held at Guantanamo Bay – Rhuhel Ahmed; Tarek Dergoul; Jamal Al Harith; Asif Iqbal; and Shafiq Rasul – would return to the UK within a few weeks. But there was confusion yesterday over what the detainees could expect when repatriated after the Home Secretary said that none of the men posed a threat to UK national security.
But today it has been confirmed that the five will face anti-terror probes. The US had stipulated, through its envoy Pierre-Richard Prosper, that the detainees were terror suspects and should be "managed" by authorities after their release.
The police will consider whether to arrest them under the Terrorism Act 2000 for questioning in connection with possible terrorist activity.
The US had drawn up plans to try detainees in courts set along the lines of military commissions. However, the British government remained opposed to this form of trial, saying that it does not comply with international law.
As regards the remaining four detainees – Feroz Abbasi; Moazzam Begg; Richard Belmar; Martin Mubanga – Mr Straw said that there were a range of security and related issues which needed to be considered.
"But our position remains that the detainees should either be tried in accordance with international standards or they should be returned to the UK," he said.
(gmcg)
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09 March 2004
Britain's five Guantanamo detainees fly home today
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Britain's five Guantanamo detainees fly home today
Five of the nine British nationals held by the US in Guantanamo Bay are expected to fly home to the UK today.
05 March 2004
British nationals expected to return from Guantanamo Bay
Five of the nine British nationals held by the US in Guantanamo Bay are expected to return to the UK next week. Last month, The Times newspaper reported that preparations were being made for the release of the first of the camp's nine British detainees.
British nationals expected to return from Guantanamo Bay
Five of the nine British nationals held by the US in Guantanamo Bay are expected to return to the UK next week. Last month, The Times newspaper reported that preparations were being made for the release of the first of the camp's nine British detainees.
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