Source: Islam Online
After spending over six years behind bars, the majority in solitary confinement at the notorious US Guantanamo prison which left him agoraphobic and mentally wreck, Australian David Hicks was set free Saturday, December 29.

"I hope he can get on with his life. I'm not David's mentor now, he's his own man and I'll give him whatever advice he wants, but otherwise he's on his own," emotional Hicks' father Terry told reporters, Australia's ABC network reported.

He said he wants to give his son some space for a couple days before contacting him again.

"It's hard after six years and all of a sudden he's out here," Terry said before taking his son from Adelaide's Yatala maximum security prison in his hometown of Adelaide in south Australia.

Australians gathered outside the prison as Hicks left, many holding banners reading "This could have been your son" and "David Hicks is no threat."

Hicks, who reverted to Islam in 1990s, was captured in Afghanistan in late 2001 during the US-led invasion and was moved to Guantanamo a year later.

Hicks, 32, was eventually charged with conspiracy, attempted murder and aiding the enemy. The charge was later downgraded to providing material support to terrorism after US courts ruled the Guantanamo system of military tribunals was unconstitutional.

Hicks returned to Australia from the US military prison on the island of Cuba in May after pleading guilty to terrorism charges.

He also recanted allegations he was abused by his jailers.

His father had said his son was forced to sign a document in which he backtracked on the abuse accusations.

Now, Hicks will still be subject to a strict control order that includes a midnight to dawn curfew. He will not be allowed to leave Australia.

An interim control order requires Hicks to report to police three times a week.

Readjusting

Hicks asked for privacy and said he would need time to readjust to society.

"Right now I am looking forward to some quiet time with my wonderful Dad, my family and friends," Hicks said through his lawyer.

"I had hoped to be able to speak to the media but I am just not strong enough at the moment, it's as simple as that."

He said he cannot further speak right now to the media about his Guantanamo ordeal due to his release terms.

"As part of my conditions of release from Guantanamo Bay, I agreed not to speak to the media on a range of issues before March 30, 2008," he said.

"It's my intention to honor this agreement as I don't want to do anything that might result in my return there."

Under a plea bargain with US military authorities, Hicks agreed to a gag order barring him from talking about his experiences for a year, ending on March 26.