A lawyer for a navy nurse who refused to force-feed prisoners on hunger strike at the US base at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, says his client will not be formally punished.



Attorney Ronald Meister says the nurse was informed by the navy that he will not face an administrative discharge. That would have cost him the retirement benefits he has earned during his 18 years of service.

Meister said on Wednesday the nurse is “extremely relieved” and eager to resume his career.

The nurse, whose name has not been released, is assigned to the Naval Health Clinic New England.

His six-month assignment at Guantánamo was cut short after he refused to take part in the force-feedings. The military has defended force-feeding as humane and necessary but the nurse felt it violated his professional ethics.