Al Qaida suspect’s father threatens hunger strike

The father of a man arrested in Pakistan on suspicion of links to Al Qaida terrorists today threatened to go on hunger strike unless his son was released.

Azmat Ullah Baig, of Sparkhill, Birmingham, claims his son Moazzam Baig is being held illegally in Afghanistan since his arrest by US and Pakistani authorities in Islamabad two months ago.

It is thought Moazzam, who is under arrest in Kandahar along with other suspects, will be transferred to Camp X-Ray in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to join other British nationals - including three men from Tipton, West Midlands - once the jail is expanded.

Mr Baig, 60, said a fax he had received from his son a week ago suggested he was suffering while under detention.

Mr Baig, who recently had heart bypass surgery, told BBC Radio WM: ‘‘I am writing letters at the moment to different authorities, including the government of Pakistan and Tony Blair. If it does not work out, I will have to take action and do what I can, including going on hunger strike.’’

Mr Baig said he had maintained contact with his son, who is 34 and grew up in Birmingham before moving to Islamabad, through the Red Cross.

‘‘He has been smuggled from Pakistan to Kandahar illegally,’’ claimed Mr Baig. ‘‘He has not been linked to anything, no charges have been applied to him.

‘‘It is very difficult. It appears from his writing that he is not being treated properly.’’