Shaker Aamer last British resident to be held at Guantànamo Bay has been freed

Shaker Aamer has been released after 14 years of incarceration at Guantánamo Bay, where he was beaten by his American military jailers but never tried for any offence, according to reports.

Picture Credit: Guardian UK

It is reported that Aamer’s release had been imminent. According to Sky News, it was confirmed that he had been released on friday morning, he is on a plane  bound for London’s Biggin Hill airport at 11.30pm local time (4.30am GMT).

Guardian reports that Aamer’s immediate priorities are likely to be to see his family and get independent medical treatment,  but maintained that he may be questioned by anti-terrorism police or MI5 officers, but given that ministers including the prime minister, David Cameron – had campaigned for his release, he is unlikely to need to spend his first night back on British soil in a police cell.

Though the US leaked claims – some extracted from the torture of other detainees – that Aamer fought for al-Qaida and was paid by Osama bin Laden, he was never for any offence. He insists he is innocent and was working in Afghanistan for an Islamic charity when he was detained.

He has said British officials were aware – and on one occasion, present – when he was being beaten by US interrogators. The Foreign Office has said it “did not accept allegations of ... complicity in his mistreatment”. Whether he wishes to, or can, pursue his allegations, remains to be seen.
In January, Cameron raised Aamer’s case with Barack Obama in the White House and won an assurance from the US commander-in-chief that he would prioritise the issue. An announcement that Aamer was to be released followed in September. Friday’s actual release came after the passing of a mandatory 30-day notice period that has to be given to the US Congress in all such cases. 

Guardian UK