Prisoner

Pentagon transfers Guantanamo Bay prisoner Sufiyan Barhoumi to Algeria

NEWYou can now pay attention to Fox News articles!

Guantanamo Bay prisoner Sufiyan Barhoumi was transferred to Algeria, the Pentagon introduced Saturday, leaving 37 detainees at the detention facility.

Barhoumi, a 48-year-previous Algeria indigenous, experienced been held at the Guantanamo Bay detention facility for 20 years. 

FILE - In this photo reviewed by U.S. military officials, the sun sets behind the closed Camp X-Ray detention facility, on April 17, 2019, in Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba. A Saudi prisoner at the Guantanamo Bay detention center who was suspected of trying to join the 9/11 hijackers has been sent back to his home country for treatment for mental illness. The Department of Defense says Mohammad Ahmad al-Qahtani was flown back to Saudi Arabia from the U.S. base in Cuba after a review board concluded he could be safely released after 20 years in custody.

FILE – In this photo reviewed by U.S. armed forces officers, the solar sets guiding the closed Camp X-Ray detention facility, on April 17, 2019, in Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba. A Saudi prisoner at the Guantanamo Bay detention center who was suspected of trying to sign up for the 9/11 hijackers has been sent back to his household place for cure for mental health issues. The Division of Protection says Mohammad Ahmad al-Qahtani was flown again to Saudi Arabia from the U.S. base in Cuba following a review board concluded he could be safely and securely launched following 20 decades in custody.
((AP Picture/Alex Brandon, File))

He had been awaiting release for virtually 6 yrs when the multi-agency Periodic Evaluate Board determined on August 9, 2016, that detaining Barhoumi “was no lengthier required” to secure in opposition to a continuing considerable danger to national protection, according to the Division of Protection.

US SENDS Residence SUSPECTED 20TH 9/11 HIJACKER FROM GUANTANAMO

Shayana Kadidal, senior handling lawyer at the Centre for Constitutional Legal rights, has been browsing Barhoumi at Guantanamo Bay for the final 12 years and celebrated the news Saturday that Barhoumi was eventually dwelling with his mom and siblings in Algeria.

“I’m overjoyed,” Kadidal informed Fox Information Digital on Saturday. “I’ve regarded him, and I have recognized his family members. They are all superior people today. A good deal of periods fellas were being weakened before they got into Guantanamo, and you sort of get worried that whatsoever takes place after they get out will not be great. 

“With him, I just don’t have that type of worry. I know he’s going to land on his toes, and he’s likely to have a fantastic daily life.”

To begin with suspected by the United States of getting section of a jihadist bomb-making cell in Pakistan, according to his lawyer, the board advised Barhoumi be produced to his native region of Algeria, matter to safety and humane treatment assurances.

SUPREME Court docket SIDES WITH Government IN GITMO Condition Techniques Scenario

The Guantanamo Bay prison opened in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and has detained almost 800 persons. Right now, 37 detainees stay: 18 are qualified for transfer 7 are eligible for a Periodic Review Board 10 are associated in the army commissions course of action and two detainees have been convicted in armed forces commissions, in accordance to the Pentagon.

FILE - In this April 17, 2019, photo, reviewed by U.S. military officials, the control tower is seen through the razor wire inside the Camp VI detention facility in Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba. The Biden administration has been quietly laying the groundwork to release prisoners from the Guantanamo Bay detention center and at least move closer to being able to shut it down.

FILE – In this April 17, 2019, photograph, reviewed by U.S. navy officers, the management tower is found through the razor wire inside the Camp VI detention facility in Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba. The Biden administration has been quietly laying the groundwork to launch prisoners from the Guantanamo Bay detention center and at minimum transfer closer to being equipped to shut it down.
((AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File))

Equally President Biden and previous President Barack Obama mentioned they want to shut it down absolutely, as the Cuba facility had grow to be a globally image of mistreatment of prisoners as portion of the war on terror. But former President Trump reversed study course.

Click Here TO GET THE FOX News App

Unexplained bureaucratic problems stalled Barhoumi’s launch in the last months of the Obama Administration, according to his lawyer. Barhoumi’s spouse and children experienced been anticipating his homecoming 6 yrs back and had even located a bride to marry him, according to the New York Moments.

But when Trump was elected his administration halted transfers. Biden’s election provided a new window for Barhoumi’s launch. 

U.S. President Joe Biden hugs first lady Jill Biden during a commemorative commissioning ceremony for the USS Delaware nuclear submarine at the Port of Wilmington, Delaware, U.S., April 2, 2022.

U.S. President Joe Biden hugs very first girl Jill Biden all through a commemorative commissioning ceremony for the USS Delaware nuclear submarine at the Port of Wilmington, Delaware, U.S., April 2, 2022.
(REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz)

“The United States appreciates the willingness of Algeria, and other companions to help ongoing U.S. initiatives toward a deliberate and thorough process targeted on responsibly reducing the detainee inhabitants and finally closing of the Guantanamo Bay facility,” the Pentagon mentioned in a assertion Saturday. 

Kadidal, who has represented quite a few other Gitmo detainees, explained Barhoumi was the initial to have a recommendation letter from a previous guard to the critique board. He speaks English and had crafted a standing as a mediator and a peacemaker at the detention facility, Kadidal said. 

Barhoumi lost his remaining hand in a landmine incident two decades back, and believes that’s why the military stored him at Guantanamo for so extended for the reason that they assumed he experienced blown it off even though instruction to make bombs, according to his lawyer.

“He is normally said he has ‘no black heart from America’ inspite of his decades of detention,” Kadidal informed Fox News Digital. 

Related Articles