(MENAFN- Gulf Times) The last British resident in Guantanamo Bay was on Friday returning to London having been released after spending over 13 years at the military prison in Cuba, Britain's foreign minister said.
"I can confirm that he is on his way back to the UK now and he will arrive in Britain later today," Philip Hammond said.
The US accused 46-year-old Saudi national Shaker Aamer of acting as a recruiter, financier and fighter for Al-Qaeda, as well as being a close associate of Osama bin Laden, but never charged him or put him on trial.
The father-of-four, who was twice cleared for release from the camp in 2007 and 2009, denied the allegations and said he was in Afghanistan working for a charity.
Aamer's US lawyer Cori Crider, who is also strategic director at prisoners' rights group Reprieve, said: "We are, of course, delighted that Shaker is on his way back to his home and his family here in the UK.
"It is long, long past time. Shaker now needs to see a doctor, and then get to spend time alone with his family as soon as possible."
Andy Worthington, co-director of the We Stand With Shaker campaign, said Aamer's lawyer had informed him of the release.
"We're delighted to hear that his long and unacceptable ordeal has come to an end," he said.
"We hope he won't be detained by the British authorities on his return and gets the psychological and medical care that he needs to be able to resume his life with his family in London."
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