BAGHDAD - The U.S. military released Associated Press photographer
Bilal Hussein on Wednesday after holding him for more than two years
without filing formal charges.
Hussein, 36, was handed over to AP colleagues at a checkpoint in
Baghdad. He was taken to the site aboard a prisoner bus and left U.S.
custody wearing a traditional Iraqi robe. He was smiling and appeared
in good health.
"I want to thank all the people working in AP ... I have spent two
years in prison even though I was innocent. I thank everybody,"
Hussein said after being freed.
AP President Tom Curley said Hussein "is safely back with AP and his
family, and it is a great relief to us."
"Our heartfelt thanks to all of you who sup****ted us during this
difficult and challenging period," Curley said. "Bilal will now be
spending some quiet time with his family and resting up."
The U.S. military had accused Hussein of links to insurgents, but did
not file specific charges. In December, military authorities brought
Hussein's case into the Iraqi court system for possible trial.
Proceedings dismissed
But an Iraqi judicial panel this month dismissed all proceedings
against Hussein and ordered his release. A U.S. military statement on
Monday said Hussein is no longer considered a threat.
Hussein and the AP denied any improper contacts, saying Hussein was
doing the normal work of a photographer in a war zone. He was detained
by U.S. Marines on April 12, 2006 in Ramadi, about 70 miles west of
Baghdad.
Hussein was a member of the AP team that won a Pulitzer Prize for
photography in 2005, and his detention drew protests from rights
groups and press freedom advocates.
'Cannot describe my happiness'
The photographer was embraced by sobbing family members, including his
brother and mother, and spoke to other well-wishers on a mobile phone
as he was showered with flowers and sweets. Two sheep were slaughtered
in his honor for a traditional feast.
"I cannot describe my happiness at seeing him again," said his
brother, Yassir Hussein, a 35-year-old university professor in
Baghdad. "The family has been going through a hard time over the past
two years, but now we thank God that we will have some rest."
In New York, the executive director of the Committee to Protect
Journalists, Joel Simon, said the group was "thrilled" by Hussein's
release.
"He now joins a growing list of journalists detained in conflict zones
by the U.S. military for prolonged periods and eventually released
without any charges or crimes ever substantiated against them," said
Simon. "This deplorable practice should be of concern to all
journalists. It basically allows the U.S. military to remove
journalists from the field, lock them up and never be compelled to say
why."
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