Howard: No apology for Gitmo man
By Journalist Emily Smith for CNN
SYDNEY, Australia (CNN) -- Australian Prime Minister John Howard says he will not offer an apology or compensation for soon to be released Guantanamo Bay detainee, Mamdouh Habib.
The Australian will be freed after three years in the prison, following an announcement made by U.S. officials earlier this week saying there was not enough evidence to charge him.
Habib is expected to be released, along with four Britons, within a week and return to Australia soon afterwards.
Howard has not ruled out Habib being charged when he returns.
"He will be subject to Australian law ... he will be dealt with when he returns to Australia in accordance to Australian law," Howard told national media.
However Australian Attorney-General, Philip Ruddock, said the country's new anti-terrorist laws, introduced in the wake of the September 11 attacks, were not retrospective and Habib was unlikely to faces charges.
When he arrives back in Australia it is possible Habib may become a virtual prisoner in his own home.
Australian officials say they expect the U.S. government to request Habib does not leave the country upon his return and it is expected security authorities will keeping a close eye on his movements.
"Mr Habib remains of interest in a security context because of his former associations and activities. Because of this interest, relevant agencies will undertake appropriate measures," Ruddock said in a statement released this week.
The Attorney-General expressed disappointment at the length of time Habib was detained without charge.
"The Australian Government has consistently urged the United States either to bring charges against him or to release him.
The Government has repeatedly impressed on the United States our desire to see his case dealt with expeditiously and fairly," Ruddock said.
The father of four was arrested in Pakistan in October 2001 and accused of having prior knowledge of the September 11 attacks.
He was taken to Egypt before being transferred to Guantanamo Bay in May 2002.
Habib has alleged in recent weeks that he was subject to brutality while in custody in Egypt.
There have been suggestions that these accusations of torture prompted Habib's surprise release.
His lawyer, Stephen Hopper, told ABC radio in Australia that the prisoner had been unlawfully detained.
"He's suffered the most gross violence of a person's human rights in the history of this country (Australia) and in the history of the United States," Hopper said.
