BAGHDAD - The U.S. military released Associated Press photographer
Bilal Hussein on Wednesday after holding him for more than two years
without filing formal charges.

Hussein, 36, was handed over to AP colleagues at a checkpoint in
Baghdad. He was taken to the site aboard a prisoner bus and left U.S.
custody wearing a traditional Iraqi robe. He was smiling and appeared
in good health.

"I want to thank all the people working in AP ... I have spent two
years in prison even though I was innocent. I thank everybody,"
Hussein said after being freed.

AP President Tom Curley said Hussein "is safely back with AP and his
family, and it is a great relief to us."

"Our heartfelt thanks to all of you who supported us during this
difficult and challenging period," Curley said. "Bilal will now be
spending some quiet time with his family and resting up."

The U.S. military had accused Hussein of links to insurgents, but did
not file specific charges. In December, military authorities brought
Hussein's case into the Iraqi court system for possible trial.