Father maintains son's innocence

Azmat Begg has been campaigning for his son's release

Azmat Begg has had many sleepless nights since his son Moazzam was arrested by the CIA and then held at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba.

But on Wednesday night, he was able to sleep soundly after finally seeing his son for the first time in four years.

Moazzam Begg, 36, from Birmingham, and three other British detainees touched down on UK soil on Tuesday.

All four were questioned by police but freed without charge on Wednesday.

I know Moazzam is a nice gentleman. He is always ready to help others when he gets a chance Azmat Begg

But US defence officials say the four still pose a security risk.

It is this statement which infuriates Azmat Begg.

Speaking to BBC News on Thursday morning, he maintained his son was innocent: "The Americans want to justify what they have done.

"I know Moazzam is a nice gentleman. He is always ready to help others when he gets a chance.

"I have heard from my son that they have taken more than 300 interviews and interrogators came down to his cell.

"Everything has been done and nothing has been proved."

Rollercoaster of emotions

Moazzam Begg's release, along with that of Feroz Abbasi, Martin Mubanga and Richard Belmar, brings an end to a three-year campaign by his father.

But is has been a rollercoaster of emotions for the 60-year-old.

He watched intently on Tuesday night as the plane bringing Moazzam and the other detainees arrived back in Britain.

He is happy, although he has come from hell Azmat Begg

He then travelled to London on Wednesday morning for what he thought would be a reunion with his son only to find the detainees had refused to see their families until they had been released by British police and could meet them in private.

Finally, the four were released by police on Wednesday night and they were able to meet their families.

Mr Begg said: "I was thinking all the time that I was relieved to see my son last night (Wednesday).

"We had a few hours to talk and I then left him with his family.

'Very strong man'

"At the moment he looks reasonably good but it's very difficult to assess anything in a few hours.

"He is very tired and couldn't sleep until we left him. He was happy, although he has come from hell. He has gone through lots and lots of problems.

"We briefly discussed that and we know that he is a very, very strong man."

Mr Begg added: "He is very quiet, he is very determined.

"He wants to fight for people who are still there and he is definite and sure that they are not terrorists or anything like that, they haven't done anything wrong."