The US transferred the four detainees to Afghanistan late Friday, the Defense Department announced on Saturday, fulfilling a request from Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.
The four men are not likely to be subjected to further detainment in Afghanistan, an Obama administration official said. The transfer brings the number of Afghans still held at the American military prison in Cuba to eight of the 132 detainees over all.
In a statement, the HPC welcomed the transfer and said it had been a result of President Ghani’s request and efforts by the council. It said the four former detainees would be reunited with their families soon, but gave no specific date.
“The High Peace Council welcomes the Afghan government’s decision legalising activities of foreign troops in Afghanistan and preventing them from running a jail after 2014.”
The HPC urged all Afghans to join hands and resolve their problems themselves and work for peace and stability of their country, calling peace the only way to resolve the ongoing conflict.
The peace body urged the US to release and transfer to Afghanistan the remaining Afghan detainees held at the Guantanamo Bay prison.
The Pentagon Saturday said the United States had full confidence in the ability of the Afghan government to mitigate any threats might be posed by these individuals.
The Pentagon statement also noted that “over 90 percent of the Guantánamo detainees transferred during this administration are neither confirmed nor even suspected of having re-engaged in any terrorist or other hostile activity.”
Although Obama vowed in 2013 to revive his efforts to close the prison, the military in the first months of this year had transferred just one low-level detainee, back in March.
The men are Shah Wali Khan, Ali Gul, Abdul Ghani and Mohammed Zahir. They were unanimously approved for transfer by the six US departments and agencies that review such cases.
ma
Views: 1
GET IN TOUCH
NEWSLETTER
SUGGEST A STORY
PAJHWOK MOBILE APP