An Algerian resident of Japan arrived at Narita airport Friday night after for the first time in more than four years after being arrested in France for his alleged links to al-Qaida.
Djamel Hamouni, a 41-year-old permanent resident, was eventually cleared of suspicion by the French government and allowed to reunite with his Japanese wife and three children in Gunma Prefecture.
"My life has been messed up," Hamouni said of his ordeal, which began when he was arrested in September 2004 during what was supposed to be a brief stop in the country.
According to supporters and family, Hamouni, who was in the used car business, sold a car to a man said to be a senior member of al-Qaida who was hiding in Japan. Hamouni didn't know the man was on an international wanted list or linked to the terror group.
Hamouni was questioned on a voluntary basis on the matter and subjected to a search by the Gunma Prefectural Police in May 2004 on suspicion of violating the Road Trucking Vehicle Law, they said.
In late June that year, he traveled to Algeria to reapply for an international driver's license and stopped in France about three months later to see his sister before returning to Japan. It was then that he got arrested by the Directorate for Territorial Surveillance.
Hamouni repeatedly denied any involvement.