Guantanamo Five to face police questions
Scotland Yard has said a full criminal probe will be launched into the activities of five British detainees due to be released from Guantanamo Bay.
The head of the Anti-Terrorist Branch said police had a responsibility to investigate terrorist suspects.
Despite the “unusual circumstances” surrounding the case, an investigation would be launched into the five of nine UK terror suspects held at the US base in Cuba, the police said.
The men will be flown home in the next few weeks. They have been held at the base for two years without trial.
Deputy assistant commissioner Peter Clarke said police would treat the men “fairly and properly”.
“In the first instance we will be in contact with the men’s families and legal representatives.
“The Anti-Terrorist Branch is conducting investigations which will consider the case of each man individually, under the appropriate legislation.”
David Davies, Tory home secretary spokesman, said the men should be tried – possibly for treason – on UK soil if US authorities supplied evidence directly linking them to the Taliban or al-Qaeda.
“The government should study any files and paperwork that the US government sends home with these detainees.
“If they have no charges to answer to, then it is right they are released,” he said.
The five men are Rhuhel Ahmed, Tarek Dergoul, Jamal al-Harith, Asif Iqbal and Shafiq Rasul.
