Home Secretary orders rendition torture inquiry

Tom Griffin, 30 October 2008

Subjects:

Tom Griffin (London, OK):The Guardian brings us news of some important developments in the case of Binyam Mohammed this evening:

It emerged tonight that lawyers acting for Smith have sent the attorney general, Baroness Scotland, evidence about MI5 and CIA involvement in the case, which was heard behind closed doors in high court hearings. In a letter seen by the Guardian, they have asked Scotland - as an independent law officer - to investigate "possible criminal wrongdoing". The move could lead to a criminal prosecution.

The evidence was suppressed following gagging orders demanded by David Miliband, the foreign secretary, and the US authorities. The action by Smith, the minister responsible for MI5 activities, is believed to be unprecedented.

A detailed account of the case, 'Human Cargo' (pdf), which includes a harrowing description of Mohamed's CIA sponsored torture in Morocco, is available from Reprieve.

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