Binyam Mohamed back in the UK
Updated on 23 February 2009
The former British resident held at Guantanamo Bay for more than four years arrives back in the UK. View a timeline of the events leading up to this point.
An aircraft carrying terror suspect Binyam Mohamed, 30, landed at RAF Northolt in north west London just after 1pm.
In a statement released today, the former detainee said the worst moment of his captivity was when he realised his "torturers" were receiving questions and material from British intelligence agents.
Mr Mohamed said: "I have been through an experience that I never thought to encounter in my darkest nightmares."
Prime Minister Gordon Brown today declined to say whether Mr Mohamed will face any restrictions on his liberty when he returns to the UK.
Mr Brown said: "I don't think it is for me to announce the details of that. What I can say is that at all times the security of the country will be protected."
Detention timeline
24 July 1978: Binyam Mohamed al Habashi is born in Ethiopia.
1994: Mr Mohamed arrives in the UK seeking asylum.
2000: His application is rejected, but he is given exceptional leave to remain in the UK for four years.
2001: Mr Mohamed converts to Islam and travels to Pakistan and the Afghanistan.
10 April 2002: Binyam Mohamed is arrested at Karachi airport by Pakistani immigration officials when trying to return to the UK. He is handed over to US officials three months later.
21 July 2002: Mr Mohamed is transferred to Morocco where he says he was tortured for 18 months.
January 2004: He is moved to the allegedly CIA-run 'dark prison' in Kabul, Afghanistan for five months and then to the Bagram airbase in Afghanistan for four months.
September 2004: Binyam Mohamed is transferred to Guantanamo Bay detention centre in Cuba.
August 2007: the British government requests that the US return Mr Mohamed to the UK along with other UK detainees. Three detainees return to the UK in December 2007, but Mr Mohamed stays in Guantanamo.
May 2008: Mr Mohamed is re-charged with conspiring with members of al-Qaida to murder and commit terrorism. A letter to 10 Downing Street tells how he felt 'betrayed' by Britain.
6 May 2008: his legal team start high court proceedings alleging he was tortured.
October 2008: the US announces that charges against Mr Mohamed have been dropped.
January 2009: Mr Mohamed goes on hunger strike until he is persuaded that his release is imminent.
20 February 2009: the UK Foreign Office confirms Mr Mohamed's release is imminent after British officials visit Mr Mohamed to assess his fitness to return to the UK.
23 February 2009: Binyam Mohamed flies back to the UK.
