Judge orders Guantanamo detainee released




March 31, 2009 7:53 PM ET

WASHINGTON (AP) - A federal judge is ordering the release of a prisoner from the Guantanamo detention center -- a prisoner who says he fears for his life after informing against senior al-Qaida leaders.

U.S. District Judge Ellen Segal Huvelle issued a one-page judgment ordering the release of Yasin Muhammed Basardh. The judge didn't say in the ruling why Basardh should be let go, but said it was explained during a closed hearing in her courtroom earlier in the day.

According to charges filed by the military in 2004, the 33-year-old from Yemen is a member of the Taliban who fought against the U.S. or its coalition partners.

Basardh has begged officials not to send him back to Yemen or any other Muslim country, saying his cooperation will result in his being killed.

A Justice Department spokesman would only say the department is reviewing the court's ruling.


http://www.kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?S=10104821