The US transferred Rabbani brothers detained at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba to Pakistan, the Defense Department announced Thursday.
Abdul Rabbani and Mohammed Rabbani were held as detainees in the US’ decades-long war against terror for operating safe houses used by al Qaeda members, including Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the accused mastermind of the 9/11 attacks, according to the Pentagon's website.
Rabbani brothers, who were never charged with a crime, were repatriated to Pakistan after it was determined that their detention was no longer needed to protect against a “continuing, significant threat” to the United States, the US Defense Department said in a statement.
“The United States appreciates the willingness of the Government 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 Pentagon said.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had notified Congress in January of his intent to repatriate the Rabbani brothers to Pakistan.
Their transfer comes after the Pentagon announced the transfer of another Guantanamo prisoner, Majid Khan, to Belize earlier this month. Khan was convicted of terrorism offenses in 2012 and completed his sentence.
Khan lived in the US from 1996 to early 2002 and was suspected of assisting al Qaeda in planning attacks on the US and elsewhere. Authorities believed he joined al Qaeda after the attacks on September 11, 2001.
There are currently 32 detainees remaining at Guantanamo Bay, 18 of whom are eligible for transfer, according to the US Defense Department.
In order to close the prison, President Joe Biden would need to move all 32 detainees to other prisons or locations. When former President Barack Obama wanted to try the five accused of plotting 9/11 in New York City, he faced swift public and political backlash.
Obama also promised to shut Guantanamo when he campaigned for the White House, setting up the office of military commissions and the Periodic Review Board system during his tenure, but failed to close the prison during his eight years in office.
Abdul Rabbani and Mohammed Rabbani were held as detainees in the US’ decades-long war against terror for operating safe houses used by al Qaeda members, including Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the accused mastermind of the 9/11 attacks, according to the Pentagon's website.
Rabbani brothers, who were never charged with a crime, were repatriated to Pakistan after it was determined that their detention was no longer needed to protect against a “continuing, significant threat” to the United States, the US Defense Department said in a statement.
“The United States appreciates the willingness of the Government 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 Pentagon said.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had notified Congress in January of his intent to repatriate the Rabbani brothers to Pakistan.
Their transfer comes after the Pentagon announced the transfer of another Guantanamo prisoner, Majid Khan, to Belize earlier this month. Khan was convicted of terrorism offenses in 2012 and completed his sentence.
Khan lived in the US from 1996 to early 2002 and was suspected of assisting al Qaeda in planning attacks on the US and elsewhere. Authorities believed he joined al Qaeda after the attacks on September 11, 2001.
There are currently 32 detainees remaining at Guantanamo Bay, 18 of whom are eligible for transfer, according to the US Defense Department.
In order to close the prison, President Joe Biden would need to move all 32 detainees to other prisons or locations. When former President Barack Obama wanted to try the five accused of plotting 9/11 in New York City, he faced swift public and political backlash.
Obama also promised to shut Guantanamo when he campaigned for the White House, setting up the office of military commissions and the Periodic Review Board system during his tenure, but failed to close the prison during his eight years in office.