UK asks US to return suspect held in Afghanistan
LONDON — Britain has asked the US to return a suspected insurgent being held without charge in Afghanistan to its custody after a court ruled that his detention violated an ancient British law, the government said on Wednesday.
British troops captured Pakistan national Yunus Rahmatullah, 29, in Iraq in 2004 before handing him over to US authorities. Rahmatullah was then transferred to Afghanistan where he is currently being held without charge.
The Court of Appeal ruled last week the suspect must be returned to British jurisdiction under the ancient law of habeas corpus, which forces authorities to bring a prisoner to court or explain their absence.
Britain's Foreign Office (FCO), which does not want to force the US to hand over Rahmatullah, wrote to the US government within 48 hours of the ruling to request Rahmatullah's return.
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