Sharjah 24 – AFP: The US Department of Defence announced Saturday the repatriation of the oldest detainee at the US-run Guantanamo Bay detention facility in Cuba, Saifullah Paracha, from the detention facility to Pakistan.
The Pentagon said in a statement that in May 2021, "after Review Committee action" it was determined that continued law of war detention of Saifullah Paracha was no longer necessary to protect against a continuing significant threat to the security of the United States."
It added that last month, Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin "notified Congress of his intent to repatriate Saifullah Paracha to Pakistan, and, in consultation with our Pakistani partners, we completed the requirements for responsible transfer."
"The United States appreciates the willingness of Pakistan and other partners to support ongoing US efforts focused on responsibly reducing the detainee population and ultimately closing the Guantanamo Bay facility," the statement said.
It indicated that 35 detainees remain at Guantanamo Bay, of which 20 are "eligible for transfer."
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