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07/08/2007
Britain Calls For Release Of Guantanamo Residents
The British government has called for the release of five British residents from Guantanamo Bay.
The men - Shaker Aamer, Jamil el-Banna, Omar Deghayes, Binyam Mohammed and Abdennour Sameur - are not British citizens, but had been granted refugee status, indefinite leave or exceptional leave in the UK before they were detained.
The government had secured the release of all UK nationals from Guantanamo Bay by January 2005. However, it had previously not sought the release of these five men saying that it could not intercede in the cases of non-UK citizens.
The Foreign Office said that it had made the request following recent steps taken by the US government to reduce the number of detainees held at the Cuban camp.
Civil rights campaigners have hailed the move as a sign of a change of policy for the British government.
James Welch, legal director of Liberty, said: "This change of policy is extremely welcome, especially if it signals a bigger change of approach on both sides of the Atlantic.
"Surely US and UK governments need no further evidence that internment, kidnap and torture have been completely counterproductive in the struggle against terrorism.
"It's high time that the special relationship returned to its original values of defending liberty rather than degrading it."
(KMcA)
The men - Shaker Aamer, Jamil el-Banna, Omar Deghayes, Binyam Mohammed and Abdennour Sameur - are not British citizens, but had been granted refugee status, indefinite leave or exceptional leave in the UK before they were detained.
The government had secured the release of all UK nationals from Guantanamo Bay by January 2005. However, it had previously not sought the release of these five men saying that it could not intercede in the cases of non-UK citizens.
The Foreign Office said that it had made the request following recent steps taken by the US government to reduce the number of detainees held at the Cuban camp.
Civil rights campaigners have hailed the move as a sign of a change of policy for the British government.
James Welch, legal director of Liberty, said: "This change of policy is extremely welcome, especially if it signals a bigger change of approach on both sides of the Atlantic.
"Surely US and UK governments need no further evidence that internment, kidnap and torture have been completely counterproductive in the struggle against terrorism.
"It's high time that the special relationship returned to its original values of defending liberty rather than degrading it."
(KMcA)
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Two Arrested In Film Piracy Case
Two men have been arrested in connection with the release of a pirated copy of the Expendables 3, some twenty days before its cinema release date. The film appeared online on 25th July despite having a US cinema release date of 15th August. The Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (Pipcu) arrested a 36-year-old man in Upton Wirral.
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Huhne And Pryce Released After 62 Days
Chris Huhne and Vicky Pryce have been released from jailed after serving 62 days of their respective eight-month sentences. The 58-year-old former cabinet minister and his 60-year-old ex-wife were jailed on March 11 for perverting the course of justice, relating to Pryce taking speeding points on behalf of Huhne.
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27 September 2004
Scotland's crime victims to be notified of prisoner releases
For the first time victims of serious crime in Scotland will be informed of the eligibility for home release or day release of prisoners. This is in addition to the opportunity for victims of serious crime to make representations to the Parole Board for Scotland when the prisoner is being considered for release on licence.
Scotland's crime victims to be notified of prisoner releases
For the first time victims of serious crime in Scotland will be informed of the eligibility for home release or day release of prisoners. This is in addition to the opportunity for victims of serious crime to make representations to the Parole Board for Scotland when the prisoner is being considered for release on licence.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A cloudy day with a little light rain or drizzle at times, but some spells of drier weather too. The north coast may become somewhat brighter later this afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:Cloudy and patchy light rain will slowly clear away this evening. Then the rest of the night will be dry with broken cloud. Westerly winds freshening in the early hours. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
