Saturday, November 22, 2014

GITMO: 'Get out of jail card' issued at 3AM

In case you missed this. 3AM the US Department of Defense announced the release of another GITMO resident. The timing, of course, gives new meaning to the much-used Friday news dump - a favourite of the current administration.


Muhammed Murdi Issa al Zahrani

Muhammed Murdi Issa al Zahrani is a 44- or 45-year-old citizen of Saudi Arabia. As of January 2010, the Guantánamo Review Task Force had recommended him for continued detention. As of Nov. 22, 2014, he has been held at Guantánamo for 12 years three months.

Another 'high intelligence value'...'high threat...' resident of GITMO heads to Saudi Arabia.

From the DoD:

IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Release No: NR-588-14
November 22, 2014

Detainee Transfer Announced




The Department of Defense announced today the transfer of Muhammed Murdi Issa Al-Zahrani from the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay to the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.



On Oct. 3, a Periodic Review Board consisting of representatives from the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, Justice, and State; the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence determined continued law of war detention of Al-Zahrani does not remain necessary to protect against a continuing significant threat to the security of the United States. As a result of that review, which examined a number of factors, including security issues, Al-Zahrani was recommended for transfer by consensus of the six departments and agencies comprising the Periodic Review Board.



"In the past three weeks, the Department of Defense has transferred seven detainees. These transfers include both the first Yemenis since 2010 and two transfers involving detainees made eligible by the Periodic Review Board process. A total of 13 detainees have been transferred this year. This strikes a responsible balance and reflects the careful deliberation the Secretary of Defense brings to the transfer process, and follows a rigorous process in the interagency to review several items including security review prior to any transfer," said Mr. Paul Lewis, Special Envoy for Guantanamo Detention Closure



In accordance with statutory requirements, the secretary of defense informed Congress of the United States' intent to transfer this individual and of his determination that this transfer meets the statutory standard.



The Periodic Review Board process was established by the president's March 7, 2011 Executive Order (EO) 13567.



The United States is grateful to the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its willingness to support ongoing U.S. efforts to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility. The United States coordinated with the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to ensure this transfer took place consistent with appropriate security and humane treatment measures.



Today, 142 detainees remain at Guantanamo Bay.



More information:
Periodic Review Secretariat
http://www.prs.mil/

Is ANYbody out there paying ATTENTION? 

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