Yaser Esam Hamdi - Release

Release

On October 9, 2004, Hamdi was released and deported to Saudi Arabia after agreeing to renounce his U.S. citizenship and promising to comply with strict travel restrictions preventing him from travel to the United States, Israel, the West Bank and Gaza Strip, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Hamdi was also required to notify Saudi Arabian officials if he ever plans to leave the kingdom and he had to promise not to sue the U.S. government over his captivity.

Though Hamdi renounced his U.S. citizenship, it is unclear under these circumstances if the renunciation was "voluntary" as required by the Supreme Court's decisions in Afroyim v. Rusk and Vance v. Terrazas, especially since the U.S. presently holds that formal renunciations are only valid if made before a U.S. consular or diplomatic officer outside the U.S.

Read more about this topic:  Yaser Esam Hamdi

Famous quotes containing the word release:

    The near touch of death may be a release into life; if only it will break the egoistic will, and release that other flow.
    —D.H. (David Herbert)

    The steel decks rock with the lightning shock, and shake with the
    great recoil,
    And the sea grows red with the blood of the dead and reaches for his spoil—
    But not till the foe has gone below or turns his prow and runs,
    Shall the voice of peace bring sweet release to the men behind the
    guns!
    John Jerome Rooney (1866–1934)

    If I were to be taken hostage, I would not plead for release nor would I want my government to be blackmailed. I think certain government officials, industrialists and celebrated persons should make it clear they are prepared to be sacrificed if taken hostage. If that were done, what gain would there be for terrorists in taking hostages?
    Margaret Mead (1901–1978)