Gitmo detainee Aamer waiting to reunite with family in UK
The last British national held at the notorious US military prison in Guantanamo Bay says he remains hopeful about returning to the United Kingdom.
In a letter sent to media through his lawyer, Shaker Aamer said the first thing he would do upon his freedom that he would take a cup of coffee. Aamer is likely to be freed from the Guantanamo prison at this weekend.
"I am not getting my hopes up about being back in the UK," he said adding that there have been so many false promises over the years.
Aamer remained in the US detention center despite previous promises and clearance of his release by the Obama administration. In 2011, amidst public protests, Shaker was again cleared for release and even England seemed to be wanting him back. Last month, Washington made fresh announcement indicating that he would be freed after nearly 14 years in custody.
The announcement of his release was made on 25 September, and by law the US Congress has to review the inmate transfer within 30 days.
Supporters and campaigners for Aamer’s release have recently urged the US to honor its commitment warning that a delay in the release will cause an angry backlash in Britain.
So far, there has been no information from Washington about concrete arrangements for returning Aamer to his family. But a number of British MPs have urged the leaders of the political parties to recommit themselves to putting as much pressure on the Obama administration as possible.
'Gimto abuse'
The Saudi-born British citizen was captured by US forces in Tora Bora in eastern Afghanistan back in 2001. He is alleged to have been a key recruiter and financier for the al-Qaeda and purportedly worked for Osama bin Laden. But Aamer has categorically denied all charges saying he was detained while working for an Islamic charity.
Aamer has, time and again, complained against abuse. Last month, he announced a fresh hunger strike to protest continued torture by prison guards in the Guantanamo. He told his lawyer that his death will be the responsibility of Americans.
“I need a full medical check-up, somewhere totally confidential where they will finally respect my privacy”, he said in the latest letter. "I am an old car that has not been to the garage for years”.
Rights activists say the reason Aamer has been held for so long is because he may too have witnessed torture of other inmates at Guantanamo.
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