Prime Minister David Cameron has raised the case of Shaker Aamer with President Obama. Mr Aamer is the last remaining British resident in Guantanamo Bay and is currently on hunger-strike, .
Last week, Clive,Stafford-Smith, Aamer's lawyer, and Director of the legal and human rights charity Reprieve, wrote to David Cameron requesting that he discuss Shaker Aamer's case with his US counterpart. Aamer been cleared for release and the UK government has repeatedly stated that it wants him brought back home to London.
Shaker Aamar, who has permission to live in the UK indefinitely because his wife is a British national, has been in the military prison since 2002 following his detention in Afghanistan in 2001.
The US authorities claim that he led a unit of Taliban fighters against Nato troops and had met Osama Bin Laden. However, Aamer has always said he was in Afghanistan with his family to undertake charity work. He has not been charged with any offence.
Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt confirmed a discussion was held during the G8 summit in Northern Ireland and that the government "continues to make clear to the US that we want Mr Aamer released".
Commenting, Clive Stafford Smith, said: “This is precisely what political power is for: to ensure justice for someone in Shaker’s position. Let us hope that President Obama swiftly responds to his closest ally, and proves that it truly a special relationship.”
[Ekk/4]
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