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Five Guantanamo Bay inmates 'resettled' in Kazakhstan | Five Guantanamo Bay inmates 'resettled' in Kazakhstan |
(35 minutes later) | |
Five men held at the US prison in Guantanamo Bay in Cuba for more than a decade have been sent to Kazakhstan for resettlement, the Pentagon says. | Five men held at the US prison in Guantanamo Bay in Cuba for more than a decade have been sent to Kazakhstan for resettlement, the Pentagon says. |
The three Yemenis and two Tunisians had been captured in Pakistan as suspected militants with ties to al-Qaeda. | The three Yemenis and two Tunisians had been captured in Pakistan as suspected militants with ties to al-Qaeda. |
US officials say the men, who were never charged, no longer pose a threat. | US officials say the men, who were never charged, no longer pose a threat. |
Officials say 28 inmates have been released from the facility this year, the largest number since US President Barack Obama took office in 2009. | |
It comes as part of the president's push to close the controversial prison, which was opened in the wake of the 9/11 attacks on the US. | |
Earlier this month, four Afghan detainees were repatriated while another six prisoners were flown to Uruguay. | Earlier this month, four Afghan detainees were repatriated while another six prisoners were flown to Uruguay. |
Latest detainees transferred | Latest detainees transferred |
The latest release brings the Guantanamo prison population down to 127, the Pentagon said in a statement on Tuesday. | The latest release brings the Guantanamo prison population down to 127, the Pentagon said in a statement on Tuesday. |
The five men were "unanimously approved for transfer" after a review of their cases by an inter-agency task force, it added. | The five men were "unanimously approved for transfer" after a review of their cases by an inter-agency task force, it added. |
It marks the first time Kazakhstan has taken in Guantanamo Bay prisoners, which senior US officials say followed extensive negotiations. | It marks the first time Kazakhstan has taken in Guantanamo Bay prisoners, which senior US officials say followed extensive negotiations. |
No reason was given for why the men were not sent to their home countries. However, many detainees cannot be repatriated because their countries of origin are considered unstable or unsafe. | No reason was given for why the men were not sent to their home countries. However, many detainees cannot be repatriated because their countries of origin are considered unstable or unsafe. |
Guantanamo Bay in numbers | Guantanamo Bay in numbers |
About half of the remaining 127 inmates at Guantanamo Bay have been cleared for transfer. | About half of the remaining 127 inmates at Guantanamo Bay have been cleared for transfer. |
Correspondents say President Obama's efforts to shut the facility have been slowed in part by resistance in Congress. | Correspondents say President Obama's efforts to shut the facility have been slowed in part by resistance in Congress. |
The detention centre was opened in 2002 to hold "enemy combatants" in what the US termed its war on terror. |
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