Al-Jazeera cameraman freed from Guantanamo
Published: 02 May, 2008, 17:42
A Sudanese-born cameraman with the Arab news channel Al-Jazeera has been released from the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay. He spent six years in detention without charge.
Sami al-Haj was detained in 2001 by Pakistani authorities, reportedly on an order from the United States, which claimed he was a courier for a militant Muslim organisation.
His arrest provoked worldwide protests and his supporters claimed he was being punished for working for Al-Jazeera television.
Al-Haj went on hungerstrike 16 months ago, to protest against his living conditions and confinement at Guantanamo, but was force-fed through tubes in his nose.
Upon landing in Sudan, he was put on a stretcher and taken to hospital.
Sudanese authorities say he will not face any charges at home, and will be free to resume work.
Two other Sudanese detainees were released with him.
The controversial U.S. detention centre was set up after 9/11 to hold those suspected of having links with Al-Qaeda. Most of the detainees are being held without charge.
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