Actors who played Guantanamo Bay detainees in the movie 'Road to Guantanamo' have been detained under the terrorism act upon returning to the UK from the Berlin film Festival.
Upon Arrival in Luton airport, after the film had won the Silver Bear Award at the festival, the actors were held and questioned using anti-terrorism legislation.
One of the actors, Rizwan Ahmed, was asked by the detaining officers if he intended to act in any more 'political' films. Also held were the former Guantanamo detainees Shafiq Rusul and Rhuhel Ahmed who were accompanying the party. Rizwan was verbally abused by the police, had his mobile phone taken (although later returned), and was told by police that he could be held for up to 48 hours without access to a lawyer. After being detained in the baggage reclaim area, he asked why he was being held, and was then taken alone to a separate room.
The film chronicles the lives of the British men arrested in Afghanistan, held in Guantanamo for over 2 years, and then released without charge in March 2004. It will be shown on Channel 4 in the UK this March, as well as simultaneous online and DVD releases.
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