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At the beginning of his career and trying to make it as a cameraman 32 years-old Sami-al-Haj decides to accept a coverage assignment on a dangerous war-zone in Afghanistan and Pakistan . While in Pakistan , on December 15, 2001, he disappears and it is said that he has been allegedly kidnapped. His wife and newborn son are shattered. On September 18, 2002, the big TV channel for which al-Haj worked for, al-Jazeera, reports that he is known to be in Guantanamo prison ( USA ). The explanation for his arrest: al-Haj's is an “enemy combatant” and “assists the al-Qaeda”. Still, no evidences, or charges, are presented and no conviction is declared. How come? Because there was never a trial. In 2007, IMAGO came to know about this situation and decided to act upon it. IMAGO's President at the time, Andreas Fischer-Hansen, gave his full support in order that something would be done. Cinematography and collecting images is about Art but it is also about doing it as safely as possible – even in the hardest situations. A clear violation of al-Haj 's human right's took place while on a working assignment. In a time of terror, 2001, when anyone could be the enemy a mistake was made. Shamefully, it took six years, four months and sixteen days to correct it. Can this ever be explained? Fortunately, it is with tremendous joy that IMAGO reports that Sami al-Haj was released on May 1, 2008 and is now safe. We congratulate his friends, and especially his close family, wishing them all the best in their effort to rebuild their lives. ------- A message form IMAGO's President, Nigel Walters, BSC Friends, After being force fed for 480 days in Guantanamo Bay , six years after being incarcerated without charge, Sami al-Haj was released yesterday and is on his way home to the Sudan . The case of the al-Jazeera cameraman was taken up by Imago and the BSC who made representation to the American Embassy in London.The BBC reporter Alan Johnston, kidnapped in Gaza had also appealed for his release. Commentators in the Middle East viewed Haj's imprisonment as a proxy punishment for al-Jazeera whose broadcasts have angered US officials.Imago's support may have helped a little in correcting an injustice against a cameraman.He is due to be re-united today in Khartoum with his wife and the son he has never seen. Imago President
to see all story visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sami_Al_Hajj
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Exactly one year ago, May 2007, IMAGO has published a news, on this website, on Sami al-Haj . The story was a simple one, the explanation was not.