U.S. Sends 14 Saudis Home From Guantanamo

Discussion Policy
Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.
Associated Press
Sunday, June 25, 2006

Fourteen Saudi Arabians were released yesterday from the detention center at the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and transferred to their home country, the Pentagon said.

One was released because U.S. officials determined the detainee was no longer an enemy combatant. The others were released after an administrative review determined that they could be transferred.

The releases bring to 310 the number of detainees who have departed Guantanamo and been turned over to other governments, including those of Albania, Afghanistan, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Britain, Denmark, France, Kuwait, Morocco, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden and Uganda.

About 450 detainees remain at Guantanamo, including 120 who are eligible for transfer or release. Decisions in their cases depend on discussions between the United States and other nations.

In designating the detainees as enemy combatants, the United States denies them the prisoner-of-war status that would guarantee certain rights under international law.

The Supreme Court is to rule this month on the legitimacy of special military tribunals set up to try some of the detainees for war crimes.



More World Coverage

Foreign Policy

Partner Site

Your portal to global politics, economics and ideas.

facebook

Connect Online

Share and comment on Post world news on Facebook and Twitter.

eye on the world

Eye on the World

The week's events from around the world, captured in photographs.

© 2006 The Washington Post Company