The Government of Canada has announced it has discontinued its bail appeal against Omar Khadr.

The former Guantanamo Bay prisoner was released on bail at the beginning of May, despite the federal government’s attempt to keep him behind bars. Having been charged for multiple war crimes when he was only 15 years old, Khadr has sat in prison for more than half his life. Toronto-born Khadr was just 15-years-old when he was charged with five war crimes; he is now 29.

The Conservative government at the time stated that it was disappointed with Alberta Court of Appeal Justice Myra Bielby’s decision.

On February 18th, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Ralph Goodale, announced that the government would be dropping the appeal.

“The Government of Canada respects the decision of the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta which determined that Mr. Khadr be released on bail in Canada pending his US appeal of his US convictions and sentence.”

Goodale goes on to say the withdrawal is an important step towards fulfilling the government’s commitment to review its litigation strategy.