The government faces being sued over its involvement in the extraordinary rendition of two men who were arrested in Iraq.
Reprieve, a charity, alleges that the men were passed to the US authorities by UK forces who then transferred them to a detention centre in Afghanistan where they have remained for the past five years.
Reprieve hopes that by launching the proceedings the government will be forced to reveal the names and whereabouts of the men, one of whom is said to be suffering from serious mental problems related to alleged mistreatment.
The charity’s director, Clive Stafford Smith says: “The Government admits its involvement in the crime of rendition, says it apologises, but then does nothing to reunite the victims with their legal rights”.
Nick Crinnion
