UK Guantanamo men must not be harassed

12.30.00pm GMT Thu 20th Dec 2007

Commenting on the return of three British residents from imprisonment in Guantanamo and their subsequent arrest, Liberal Democrat MEP Baroness Sarah Ludford, European Parliament rapporteur on Guantanamo and a leader of its investigation into 'extraordinary rendition' said:

"What kind of cat and mouse game is going on here? No soon are they back on British soil hoping to see their families after a terrible ordeal than they are arrested and two of them face the threat of extradition to Spain. I note their distinguished lawyer Clive Stafford-Smith is actually accusing the British government of lying."

"The EU's European Arrest Warrant law obliges our courts to ensure that the surrender is not in breach of the person's fundamental rights. They should therefore be robust in probing the failure of Spain to issue any extradition request while the men were in Guantanamo and the suspicion that in the case of Omar Deghayes there is mistaken identity."

"If there is evidence justifying a charge, the UK prosecutors should do it. Otherwise this is a repeat of the 'Natwest 3' saga where the UK delivers people to a foreign jurisdiction in neglect of true justice."

"This is not the end of the struggle to close Guantanamo Bay. The UK and its EU partners must continue to press the US to close this illegal prison camp, and must cooperate to give refuge to those against whom there is no real evidence."