Family remains cautious about Omar's release

5:26pm Saturday 8th December 2007

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The family of Guantanamo Bay detainee Omar Deghayes has reacted cautiously to the news he will be released from prison.

Abubaker Deghayes said he was delighted his younger brother was returning home after five years in the notorious US detention centre in Cuba.

But he said he will not be happy until Mr Deghayes walks through the door of their home in Arundel Drive East, Saltdean, Brighton.

Mr Deghayes, a former Brighton law student, was taken into custody in Pakistan in 2002 and has been held ever since without charge.

British and US authorities have been negotiating about his return for months despite the Pentagon insisting he has links to al-Qaeda.

Abubaker thanked The Argus for its Justice For Omar campaign, which has called for Mr Deghayes to be released or put on trial.

The 39-year-old said: "I'm happy with the news but cautious.

"I won't be completely happy until he physically walks through the door.

"The last five years have been like hell and it has not yet ended.

"Even on his return I have no idea what will happen to him."

Libyan-born Mr Deghayes, 38, is one of five men who the Government first requested was released in August.

The Government previously refused to intervene as they were not British citizens.

He, Jamil el-Banna and Abdenour Samuer will return to the UK, while Shaker Abdur-Raheem Aamer will go back to his native Saudi Arabia.

Ethiopian Binyam Mohammed al Habashi, will remain at the camp.

Abubaker said his brother has been electrocuted, starved, blinded in one eye and regularly beaten by his prison guards.

He said: "Guantanamo Bay is a big hole in mankind's existence.

"My brother was kidnapped and transported to a country without being given any rights in a place where he was tortured.

"I was happy when the Government demanded his release in August but it is December and he is still not home.

"We don't know what his health and mental condition is and he needs to rebuild his shattered life."

Mr Deghayes and his family came to Britain in 1986 as political refugees.

He travelled to Afghanistan, where he married Marim and had a son, Soluma, who is now five.

Mr Deghayes was accused by American forces of associating with al-Qaeda.

His lawyers and supporters have said a photograph allegedly proving the claim did not actually picture Mr Deghayes.

Lawyer Clive Stafford-Smith said an agreement had been struck between the British and US authorities but did not know when his client would return home.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said it was in discussion with the American authorities.

Campaigners from Save Omar will hold a public meeting at 7.30pm at Hove Town Hall on Monday night.

They will gather to demonstrate outside the hall at 6.30pm.