London (Earth Times) - An Algerian-born pilot who was wrongly accused of having links with terrorists behind the 2001 attacks in the US will receive compensation from the British government, the Justice Ministry said Friday.
Justice Secretary Jack Straw confirmed that Lotfi Raissi, a British resident, is eligible for a payout following a lengthy legal battle. The exact amount would be specified by an independent assessor.
Raissi, 36, was arrested at his home near London's Heathrow airport 10 days after the attacks on September 11, 2001, following an extradition request from the US which claimed that had attended flight training with one of the hijackers.
He spent five months in prison before being granted bail and was cleared in the spring of 2002 of any involvement in the plot.
Raissi started his compensation battle in 2004 and, in 2008, the Appeal Court ruled that he had been the "victim of a heightened emotional atmosphere" in 2001 and ordered compensation.
"It was hell for me and for the last nine years," Raissi told reporters after the announcement Friday. "My life was destroyed, my career was destroyed. I can't even find the words. I'm completely exonerated now by the Minister of Justice and I'm delighted."
He told the BBC that his battle to clear his name was "not a question about the compensation. I was fighting for justice and what I want at the end of it is an apology."
Justice Secretary Jack Straw confirmed that Lotfi Raissi, a British resident, is eligible for a payout following a lengthy legal battle. The exact amount would be specified by an independent assessor.
Raissi, 36, was arrested at his home near London's Heathrow airport 10 days after the attacks on September 11, 2001, following an extradition request from the US which claimed that had attended flight training with one of the hijackers.
He spent five months in prison before being granted bail and was cleared in the spring of 2002 of any involvement in the plot.
Raissi started his compensation battle in 2004 and, in 2008, the Appeal Court ruled that he had been the "victim of a heightened emotional atmosphere" in 2001 and ordered compensation.
"It was hell for me and for the last nine years," Raissi told reporters after the announcement Friday. "My life was destroyed, my career was destroyed. I can't even find the words. I'm completely exonerated now by the Minister of Justice and I'm delighted."
He told the BBC that his battle to clear his name was "not a question about the compensation. I was fighting for justice and what I want at the end of it is an apology."
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