Former Bin Laden driver Hamdan released

Salem Hamdan

Security authorities in the Capital Secretariat have released Bin Laden’s former driver Salem Hamdan following six years of detention in Guantanamo Bay, and an additional 45 days at the Political Security Prison in Sana’a. 

A source at the Ministry of the Interior has confirmed the release of Hamdan, who was convicted in an American court for alleged involvement in terrorist activities.

A security source said that Hamdan returned home last Thursday on commercial bail. The source declined to disclose any further details, however Hamden’s lawyer Khalid al-Anisi, said that Hamdan signed a pledge not to engage in terrorist activities. 

Hamdan arrived in Sana’a from Guantanamo Bay prison November 26, 2008 and was held in the Political Security Prison. 

An American court marshal established by the Bush Administration for the trial of Gantanamo detainees was met with wide criticism in America and the world over. The military court convicted Hamdan last August for supporting terrorism by working as a driver and bodyguard for the famous al-Qaeda leader. It was the first American specialized war-crimes court since the Second World War; however the court acquitted Hamdan of plotting with al-Qaeda to carry out any deadly attacks. He was sentenced to 66 months imprisonment, with the prior period to be deducted. His prison term was scheduled to end on the thirty-first of last month. 

Hamdan was arrested in Afghanistan November 2001, when America forces invaded the country following the September 11 attacks. He was sent to Guantanamo Bay in May 2002. Forty-year old Hamdan admitted that he worked as a driver for Bin Laden to earn a living, and he denied knowledge of his employer’s plans, which he said he doesn’t support.

The Ministry of Defense’s September.net website said the Yemeni detainees in Guantanamo carried out a hunger strike for 40 days over mistreatment and the long detention. They also demand fair trial. The site pointed out that detainee Abdulsalam al-Hilah’s health is deteriorating because of the long strike and the lack of proper health-care. It added that the 102 Yemeni detainees are suffering continuous abuse, and are being deprived of telephone calls, despite the intervention of the Red Cross. 

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