Hicks is free what a disgrace!

[Kiwi]

Hicks walks free from jail

Jamie Walker | December 29, 2007

DAVID Hicks has walked free from an Adelaide prison, vowing he would not let down those who campaigned for his release.
The convicted terrorism supporter, looking chubby but otherwise healthy, had an emotional reunion with his father Terry, before emerging from Yatala Labour Prison just after 8:20am local time.

He was driven from the maximum security jail under police escort seated in the car beside Mr Hicks' former wife, Bronwyn Mewett.

His lawyer, David McLeod, read a statement on Hicks' behalf in which he apologised for not being "strong enough" to speak publically.

"I will not forget, or let you down," Hicks said in his statement

Hicks said he owed the Australian public a debt of gratitude for having him returned home from the US military's Guantanamo Bay detention centre last year.

The 32-year-old Adelaide man was held there for more than five years after he was captured in a Afghanistan in 2001 while serving with the Taliban and al-Qa'ida-backed fighters.

Hicks said he was looking forward to spending some quiet time with his father, other family members and friends.

"I ask you to respect my privacy as I will need time to readjust to society and to obtain medical care for the consequences of five-and-a-half years at Guantanamo Bay," he said in his statement.

"I have been told that my readjustment will be a slow process and should involve a gentle transition away from the media spotlight."

Hicks was taken to an undisclosed location where he will stay with friends for the coming days.

Under the ternms of the interim control order governing his post-release movement he is required to report to police by tomorrow.

Terry Hicks said that his son hadn't fully comprehended that he was at last free.

Describing their meeting this morning, Mr Hicks said: "He just walked in and said 'good morning'."

Mr Hicks said his son was much more mature than he had been when he joined the Taliban but had "done his time" and deserved the opportunity to get on with his life.