January 1, 2025 - The Department of Defense has announced the repatriation of Ridah Bin Saleh al-Yazidi from the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay to the Government of Tunisia.
Ridah Bin Saleh al-Yazidi (ISN 038) was determined transfer-eligible by a rigorous interagency review process established by 2009 Executive Order 13492.
On Jan. 31, 2024, Secretary of Defense Austin notified Congress of his intent to support this repatriation and, in consultation with our partner in Tunisia, we completed the requirements for responsible transfer.
Today, 26 detainees remain at Guantanamo Bay: 14 are eligible for transfer; 3 are eligible for a Periodic Review Board; 7 are involved in the military commissions process; and 2 detainees have been convicted and sentenced by military commissions.
Previous in December:
December 18: The Department of Defense announced today the repatriation of Mohammed Farik bin Amin (ISN 10021) and Mohammed Nazir bin Lep (ISN 10022) from the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay to the Government of Malaysia.
Mohammed Farik bin Amin (ISN 10021) and Mohammed Nazir bin Lep (ISN 10022) each pled guilty before a Military Commission to multiple offenses, including Murder in Violation of the Law of War, Intentionally Causing Serious Bodily Injury, Conspiracy, and Destruction of Property in Violation of the Law of War. Pursuant to a pretrial agreement between the U.S. and the two men, each has cooperated with the U.S. Government and has provided deposition testimony available for use against the alleged mastermind, Encep Nurjaman (ISN 10019), of the al-Qaida-affiliated attacks on nightclubs in Bali, Indonesia in 2002, and the attack on the J.W. Marriott Hotel in Jakarta, Indonesia in 2003. On June 13, 2024, in accordance with the pretrial agreements, the Convening Authority approved sentences of confinement for approximately five years for each and recommended that both men be repatriated or transferred to a third-party sovereign nation to serve the remainder of the approved sentence.
On Nov. 14, 2024, Secretary of Defense Austin notified Congress of his intent to repatriate bin Amin and bin Lep to Malaysia, and, in consultation with our partners in Malaysia, we completed the requirements for responsible transfer.
The United States appreciates the support to ongoing U.S. efforts toward a deliberate and thorough process focused on responsibly reducing the detainee population and ultimately closing the Guantanamo Bay facility.
Today, 27 detainees remain at Guantanamo Bay: 15 are eligible for transfer; 3 are eligible for a Periodic Review Board; 7 are involved in the military commissions process; and 2 detainees have been convicted and sentenced by military commissions.
December 17, 2024 - The Department of Defense announced today the repatriation of Mohammed Abdul Malik Bajabu (ISN 10025) from the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay to the Government of Kenya.
On Dec. 27, 2021, the Periodic Review Board (PRB) process determined that continued law of war detention of Mohammed Abdul Malik Bajabu (ISN 10025) was no longer necessary to protect against a continuing significant threat to the national security of the United States. The PRB recommended that Bajabu be transferred subject to appropriate security assurances.
On Nov. 14, 2024, Secretary of Defense Austin notified Congress of his intent to repatriate Bajabu to Kenya.
The United States appreciates the support to ongoing U.S. efforts toward a deliberate and thorough process focused on responsibly reducing the detainee population and ultimately closing the Guantanamo Bay facility.
The PRB was established by the President's March 7, 2011, Executive Order 13567. It is consistent with section 1023 of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2012 and affirmed in Executive Order 13823 (Jan. 30, 2018).
The PRB panel consists of one senior career official each from the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, Justice, and State, along with the Joint Staff and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
Today, 29 detainees remain at Guantanamo Bay: 15 are eligible for transfer; 3 are eligible for a Periodic Review Board; 7 are involved in the military commissions process; and 4 detainees have been convicted and sentenced by military commissions.
Source: DOD