Omar may be home in days (From The Argus)

Omar may be home in days

6:31am Thursday 9th August 2007 in

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The brother of Guantanamo detainee Omar Deghayes says the family hopes to have him home within days.

Law student Omar, 37, who has been held at Camp Delta since 2002, was named as one of the detainees whose freedom has been requested by the Government.

His older brother, Abubaker, speaking from his home in Saltdean, said the family had been "crying tears of joy" at the thought they would be reunited soon.

Abubaker said: "We can't believe that after all these years, the campaigning and lawyers, that Omar could finally be home soon. I won't believe it until I see him but from what I understand it could be very soon, weeks - even days.

"His files are closed and the Americans want to reduce numbers. It could have happened a lot sooner if the British Government had wanted it."

Omar was granted refugee status in Britain as a 16-year-old after his mother and three siblings fled their native Libya following the political assassination of their father. Mr Deghayes was arrested in Pakistan after the fall of the Taliban and accused of plotting to commit terrorist attacks against the US.

His family protested his innocence, saying he dropped out of university to go to Afghanistan in 2001, where he married and fathered a son.

His lawyers have argued that a man in a Chechen terrorist training video incorrectly identified as Mr Deghayes was a Saudi called Abu Walid, who is now dead.

Campaigners say Mr Deghayes has suffered repeated abuse at the hands of US guards.

His brother said: "Omar's wife Maryam is still in Afghanistan and his son Jamil is five now. It has been a living hell for all of us but especially my mother."