Hicks 'free' to become UK citizen

May 07, 2006

GUANTANAMO detainee David Hicks has the legal right to become a British citizen.

The British Court of Appeal has refused further appeals from the British Home Office on the Hicks case, lawyers were advised in London late on Friday, a Melbourne newspaper has reported.

This mean the Home Office, which has lost twice to Hicks' legal team, must resume the process of declaring Hicks to be a UK citizen.

David Hicks's father, Terry, said from his Adelaide home the decision was "absolutely brilliant".
Mr Hicks said late last night he expected to be briefed on the case by his son's US military lawyer, Michael Mori.

He believes Britain will be under pressure to get his son out of the US detention centre at Guantanamo Bay.

"It's going to be very, very interesting and I think the British should make overtures to the Americans to release him," Mr Hicks said.

"It does give me hope but it depends on whether the British will defend one of their own."

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