Fed: Habib sues government for damages

AAP General News (Australia)
04-24-2006
Fed: Habib sues government for damages

CANBERRA, April 24 AAP - Former Guantanamo Bay detainee Mamdouh Habib will start his
legal battle for damages against the federal government this week.

Mr Habib is claiming unlimited compensation for alleged assault and torture during
his detention in Egypt and Guantanamo Bay in Cuba.

The High Court sitting in Sydney on Wednesday will hear submissions on a new venue for the case.

The case may be moved to either the NSW Supreme Court or the Federal Court.

Mr Habib's solicitor Peter Erman said no evidence would be presented this week but
a claim and statement of particulars was filed in the High Court last December.

"This is our first date before a court," Mr Erman told AAP.

It is uncertain whether Mr Habib will attend court in person.

Mr Habib was detained at Guantanamo Bay by the US military for more than three years
without any charges brought against him and without any trial.

He returned to Australia in January last year.

The Sydney father claims he was taken to Egypt and tortured between November 2001 and
February 2002 before being moved to the Guantanamo Bay.

About 500 people accused of links to Afghanistan's ousted Taliban regime or the al
Qaeda terror network are being held at Guantanamo Bay, including Australian David Hicks,
who was captured wit the Taliban in Afghanistan in late 2001.

The US government has been criticised for the treatment of its detainees, but has denied
any abuse there.

AAP pjo/sw/jt/sd

KEYWORD: HABIB

2006 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.