Khartoum (Sudan): A Sudanese Al-Jazeera cameraman released from the US-run Guantanamo Bay detention center described it as the worst prison mankind has ever seen, in some of his first public comments since his return to Khartoum.

Sami al-Haj was whisked from his hospital bed by a convoy escorted by police cars with flashing lights and wailing sirens to an outdoor event in his neighborhood organised by his family. His speech was broadcast live on Sudanese television yesterday.

"After 2,340 days spent in most heinous prison mankind has ever known, we are honored to be here, thank you and thank all those defended us and of our right in freedom," he told the cheering crowd.

Al-Haj was the only journalist from a major international news organisation held at Guantanamo and many of his supporters saw his detention as punishment for a network whose broadcasts angered US officials.

The military alleged he was a courier for a militant Muslim organisation, an allegation his lawyers denied.

Al-Haj said he believed he was arrested because of US hostility toward Al-Jazeera and because the media was reporting on US rights violations in Afghanistan.

"I was subjected to 130 (interrogation) sessions, more than 35 about the Al-Jazeera and they wanted me to be a spy against Al-Jazeera," he said, adding that being a faithful Muslim he had turned down the offer.

He thanked the Sudanese people and their reception which he said has made him "forget the long bitter years that we spending humiliation, injustice and subjugation and oppression. Al-Haj arrived back in Khartoum early on Friday aboard a US military plane.

Source : PTI