Ravil Mingazov, former Guantanamo detainee, released from 8 year detention in the UAE

London - Ravil Mingazov, a survivor of Guantanamo Bay prison, has been forcibly repatriated to Russia after spending 8 years in solitary confinement in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). He has been reunited with his family in Russia, bringing his 2 decade ordeal of detention and torture to an end.

Ravil endured a horrific 14-year ordeal in Guantanamo Bay, without ever being charged or tried. In January 2016, he was finally released and transferred to the UAE with guarantees of freedom and a new life. However, instead of finding freedom, he was immediately imprisoned upon arrival and spent 8 years languishing in a UAE prison, enduring torture, abuse and solitary confinement.

CAGE International has been campaigning for the freedom of Ravil Mingazov and for him to be reunited with his son in the UK. This is a huge milestone for close Guantanamo campaigners, and we hope Ravil will be able to be reunited with his son Yusuf soon.

Moazzam Begg, former Guantanamo Bay prisoner who was held alongside Ravil Mingazov and Senior Director at CAGE International, said:

“Ravil Mingazov has been imprisoned in Guantanamo for 14 years and 8 years in the UAE. That's 22 years of imprisonment, torture and cruelty - all without charge or trial. Although he feared persecution if he was returned to his native Russia, his unbelievable ordeal occured at the hands of the USA and UAE.

Ravil's son, Yusuf, is a British citizen and grown man who has never met his father. It is my sincere hope that after everything he's gone through both Russian and British authorities do everything in their capacity to reunite father and son, now that Ravil is back home with the rest of his family. This is a watershed moment in the world of Guantanamo prisoners and one that we pray marks the end of another torturous chapter of human rights abuses.”