Guantanamo Bay detention center’sThe oldest prisoner was released by the U.S. on Saturday and sent back to Pakistan.
Saifullah Paracha (75) was taken into custody on suspicion that she was tied. to al QaedaHe was never charged with a crime. He was one of two men released by the prison board in May.
Shelby Sullivan-Bennis, who represented Paracha at a hearing, stated that the notification stated that Paracha was “not a continual threat” to the U.S.
The Department of Defense stated that it was grateful to Pakistan and other countries for supporting U.S. efforts to reduce the number of detainees and close Guantanamo Bay.
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This undated photo, provided by Saifullah Paracha’s counsel, shows Paracha at Guantanamo bay detention center. The foreign ministry of Pakistan says that Paracha, the oldest Guantanamo bay prisoner, has been released. Paracha will be returning to Pakistan. According to the ministry, Saifullah Paracha, who spent more than 17 years in U.S. custody in Cuba, was released on Saturday, October 29, 2022.
(Counsel to Saifullah Paracha via AP)
Paracha appeared in front of the review board for the eight time in November 2020. The former president Barack Obama created the review board to keep prisoners from being freed from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Paracha was repatriated by Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“We are pleased that a Pakistani citizen who was detained abroad is finally reunited to his family,” stated a statement issued by the Pakistani government agency.
Paracha lived in the United States, owned real property in New York City, and was allegedly a facilitator for al Qaeda’s Sept. 11 attacks. He assisted two conspirators in a financial transaction.
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This photo was taken by a US Department of Defense official and shows detainees standing together at a fence. One holds Islamic prayer beads. Naval Base, Cuba.
(AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)
Paracha stated that he was unaware that the individuals were linked to al Qaeda, and denied involvement in terrorism.
In 2003, the U.S. took him into custody while he was visiting Thailand. Since then, he has been living at Guantanamo bay.
Uzair Paracha, Paracha’s son was convicted in 2005 of supporting terrorism. This conviction was based partly on testimony from Guantanamo bay detainees. Also, the witnesses were used to justify the father’s detention.
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The sun sets behind Camp X-Ray in Guantanamo Bay Naval base, Cuba, as seen by U.S. military personnel.
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Uzair Paracha’s witness testimony was thrown out by a judge in March 2020. The U.S. government wasn’t pushing for a new trial and Paracha was allowed to be freed to Pakistan.
The Department of DefenseIt is reported that 35 of the detainees at Guantanamo are in Guantanamo, and that 20 others are eligible to be transferred.
This report was compiled by the Associated Press.
