London terror detainee 'served as Osama bin Laden's translator'

12 April 2012

A London terror suspect who William Hague believes should be freed from Guantanamo Bay worked for Osama bin Laden and commanded al Qaeda fighters, according to leaked US documents published today.

Shaker Aamer, a Saudi national whose wife and four children live in Battersea, has been held in the US detention centre since February 2002.

He claims he had travelled to Afghanistan in 2001 to work for an Islamic charity, not to engage in terrorism, and has been supported by the Foreign Secretary and human rights groups. If freed, he is expected to return to Britain, where he is entitled to live.

Confidential US government files published by WikiLeaks allege that he is a highly trained terrorist who is ready "to become a martyr for his cause". The assessment, one of 759 dossiers on Guantanamo detainees released today, states that Mr Aamer, 42, would pose a "high" security threat and claims that he served as Osama bin Laden'stranslator.

Mr Aamer's family is also said to have received "a monthly stipend" from bin Laden while he allegedly led al Qaeda fighters in Afghanistan in 2001.

One file, from 2007, states: "Detainee has expressed a desire to become a martyr and gave indications of attacking US citizens upon release."

Mr Aamer claims to have been tortured while being held and is said to be among 16 Guantanamo detainees paid compensation by the Government last year for their mistreatment.

Legal charity Reprieve says he has not been charged with any crime and claims he has been "cleared for release" after suffering repeated abuse.

Today's files also contain details of allegations against other former British citizens or residents held in Guantanamo Bay.

One file states that Londoner Richard Belmar swore loyalty to Osama bin Laden and saw the al Qaeda leader "on approximately 10 occasions".

The documents also claim that at least 35 alleged terrorists were inspired to fight by preachers in London.

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