Washington releases Sudanese journalist from Guantanamo
May 1, 2008 (KHARTOUM) – Al Jazeera satellite TV cameraman, Sami al-Haj has been released from the U.S. prison in Guantanamo Bay.
The Journalist following his arrival to Khartoum airport was transported discreetly to Al-Amal hospital in the capital for medical check-up.
Justice Minister, Abdel-Basit Sabdrat and the presidential adviser Mustafa Osman Ismail told Al-Jazeera TV that the Sudanese government has no charges against Sami al-Haj and his is free to move inside or outside the country.
U.S. Embassy in Khartoum issued a statement indicating that the release of the Sudanese detainees took place in the context of the cooperation between US embassy and the Sudanese foreign ministry and the National Intelligence and Security Service.
The Sudanese foreign ministry earlier confirmed the release of the Sudanese journalist who was detained without charges in Guantanamo since June 2002.
Two other Sudanese, Amir Mohamed al-Amir and Walid Mohamed Ali, are also freed with him.
Sami was detained by Pakistani forces in December 2001 while attempting to cross the border into Afghanistan to cover the U.S.-led offensive against the Taliban.
He was turned over to U.S. forces and hauled in chains six months later to the Guantanamo Bay U.S. Naval Base, where about 390 men are held on suspicion of links to al-Qaida or the Taliban.
In December 2007, the US administration released two Sudanese from Guantanamo prison. Four other Sudanese still remain detained there.
(ST)