Three Gitmo detainees return to Britain

LONDON, Dec. 20 (UPI) -- British authorities assumed custody of three British residents released from the U.S. naval detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Jamil el-Banna, Omar Deghayes and Abdenour Samuer were handed over to British authorities Wednesday night. Police have transferred Deghayes and Samuer to a high-security police station in London, the Independent reported Thursday.

U.S. and British authorities negotiated the release following a formal request by British officials with the Foreign Secretary's office in August.

Deghayes and Banna face extradition requests from Spanish officials on terror-related charges.

The men's attorney, Clive Stafford Smith with the non-profit group Reprieve, said the three men would likely remain in England despite the extradition requests.

Smith said the men suffered "shocking, shocking abuse" at the hands of U.S. interrogators at Guantanamo Bay and claims Deghayes is blinded in one eye due to "U.S. mistreatment."

British officials arrested Deghayes and Samuer under the Terrorism Act of 2000 on allegations of conspiracy to commit terrorist acts.

"Police are conducting investigations into the cases of each man on an individual basis. Their inquiries are being carried out, as they must be, strictly in accordance with U.K. law," a Metropolitan Police spokesman said.