Former Guantánamo detainee speaks to hacker conference by video link

Moazzam Begg stresses the importance of encryption programs while convert Cerie Bullivant says 'Muslims are the canaries in the mine' of civil liberties

Moazzam Begg, the former Guantinamo Bay detainee, was unable to address Europe's largest hacker convention in person because the British government confiscated his passport. The British Pakistani who spent two years at the US detention facility - but who has been declared not guilty of terrorism charges - spoke to the event by video link, urging developers to continue building free software encryption tools for political resistance.

"What did I ever do to these governments? They took me from my home in Pakistan to the world's most notorious prison," Begg said. "If seeking justice and accountability they think will harm them, then I will continue to do that. Nobody is above the law."