For years, the British government and a network of anti-Guantanamo activists have agitated for the release of Shaker Aamer. Now their wish was finally granted. Aamer has been released from Guantanamo. He is receiving a hero’s welcome in the UK, where much of the media has treated him as an innocent who was wrongly detained.

The press’s coverage has been greatly influenced by the prolific public relations campaign waged on Aamer’s behalf. Numerous articles, blog posts, press releases, and the like have been issued to further Aamer’s cause.  A common theme is that Aamer has been mercilessly tortured while detained at Guantanamo. Aamer’s advocates have repeatedly made this claim.