Elevate your local knowledge

Sign up for the iNFOnews newsletter today!

Select Region

Selecting your primary region ensures you get the stories that matter to you first.

Hunger-striking ex-Gitmo detainee stops drinking liquids

Hunger-striking ex-Gitmo detainee stops drinking liquids | iNFOnews.ca
Former Guantanamo detainee, Syrian Abu Wa'el Dhiab listens to a question during a press conference in his apartment in Montevideo, Uruguay, Friday, Sept. 30, 2016. Uruguay's government says it is searching for another country to take Dhiab who is threatening to die on a hunger strike if he is not allowed to reunite with his family elsewhere. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico)

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay – Supporters of a hunger-striking former Guantanamo prisoner say he’s stopped drinking liquids to press Uruguay’s government into letting him leave the South American country.

Uruguay took in Abu Wa’el Dhiab along with five other former Guantanamo prisoners in 2014. Dhiab has been on a hunger strike for over 50 days, demanding to join his wife and children in Turkey or another country.

Dhiab’s friend Andres Conteris says the ex-prisoner stopped drinking liquids Monday. Conteris is a member of the activist group Vigil for Jihad Dhiab.

On Friday, Dhiab accused Uruguay of breaking promises to reunite him with his family.

Uruguay’s liaison with the six resettled detainees has said that Lebanon, Qatar and Turkey have all rejected taking in Dhiab.

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

Create a free account

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

Related Articles