Guantanamo prisoner's legal bid

Last Modified: 14 Jun 2007
By: Katie Razzall

Channel 4 News has learnt that lawyers for Jamil el-Banna, originally from Jordan, have launched legal action against the British government to force them to let him return to Britain.

Mr el-Banna was arrested four and a half years ago on a trip to west Africa, on suspicion of connection with terrorism. He was sent to Guantanamo after being picked up in the Gambia.

Taken for carrying a suspicious device which turned out to be a battery charger, his lawyers also claim that he was deemed guilty by association as he is acquainted with Abu Qatada, now detained in Belmarsh, who's viewed as the spiritual head of Al Qaida in Europe.

His lawyers believe the Americans intend to send him to Jordan which he says he fled from after torture. They claim his travel documents are valid until 2010 and his status as a refugee with indefinite leave to remain entitles him to return to the UK.

Channel 4 News has seen the legal document which calls the affair "a matter of great urgency" and continues "... there remains a real risk that Mr El Banna will be transferred to Jordan and face the risk of torture. Furthermore, in circumstances where he has already been the subject of arbitrary detention by United States authorities for more than 4 1/2 years any further delay in removing the one remaining obstacle to his liberty is unacceptable".