article_snippet: ’s handling of Shaker Aamer case
article_snippet: Politicians from all parties pressed ministers to explain why Shaker Aamer had not been handed over despite being twice cleared for release –
article_snippet: The detainee’s supporters claim the intention is to silence Shaker Aamer because Shaker Aamer was tortured in Guantanamo and Afghanistan, including being beaten, waterboarded, shackled and threatened with execution.
article_snippet: The abuse of Shaker Aamer, said to have been a key aide of Osama bin Laden –
article_snippet: a claim Shaker Aamer vehemently denied – is alleged to have been witnessed by a British security official.
article_snippet: The question we are all asking is why is Shaker still being detained.
article_snippet: Is it that Shaker knows too much about what happened in Guantanamo and would ensure the truth comes out if Shaker Aamer was released.
article_snippet: Or is it because Shaker Aamer can bear witness not just to the US involvement in illegal criminal torture but also to the UK involvement?’ Shaker Aamer called for a ‘full and thorough independent inquiry’ into the detainee’s evidence about alleged collusion in torture by British intelligence officers.
article_snippet: ‘The continued incarceration of Shaker Aamer on US territory, without charge and against who unspeakable atrocities have been committed shames both our Governments and is an international outrage.
article_snippet: But in 2001, Shaker Aamer was detained in Kabul while carrying out peaceful voluntary work for an Islamic charity, Shaker Aamer representatives claim.
article_snippet: Shaker Aamer was handed to the US military for $5,000 and tortured at a secret ‘black site’ prison.
article_snippet: US intelligence agents insisted Shaker Aamer financed Al Qaeda and was.
article_snippet: Shaker Aamer was sent to Guantanamo Bay in February 2002.
article_snippet: Despite being cleared for release, US officials are determined Shaker Aamer is sent to Saudi Arabia, despite serious concerns Shaker Aamer will face torture.
article_snippet: Foreign Office Minister Tobias Ellwood refused to explain why the US was holding up Mr Aamer’s release, insisting Mr Aamer could not comment on ‘intelligence’ matters.