Shaker Aamer to be released from Guantanamo Bay, returned to the UK
Shaker Aamer, the last British-resident prisoner held at Guantanamo Bay, is to be released back to the UK, according to government sources.
The Saudi national, who has British residency, has been held at the detention centre on Cuba since 2002 but never been charged or put on trial.
Aamer has the right to live in the UK because his wife is British. They have four children and live in London.
A government spokesperson confirmed Aamer will be returned to the UK in the near future.
“The government has regularly raised Mr Aamer’s case with the US authorities and we support President [Barack] Obama’s commitment to closing the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay,” the spokesperson said, according to the BBC.
“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.”
Former Guantanamo Bay prisoner and UK national Moazzam Begg, who now campaigns against the War on Terror, said Aamer will be released within days.
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