Two former Guantanamo detainees returned to Afghanistan more than 20 years after their arrest

Two former Afghan prisoners at the US military prison Guantanamo Bay returned to Afghanistan on Monday, more than 20 years after their arrest, relatives said. as well as the press secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Afghanistan Abdul Matin Kani. Abdul Karim and Abdul Zahir landed at Kabul airport on Monday morning from Oman. They were transferred there in 2017 and placed under house arrest, said the second’s son, Muhammad Osman, and airport employees.

“By the grace of God and the efforts of the leaders of the Islamic Emirate, he returned to the country,” Mohammad Osman said. “I’m very happy. When I woke up this morning, I felt like it was Eid.” Authorities shielded the two former detainees from the gaze of the press and the large crowd that gathered at the airport to greet them, some holding bouquets. Afghan Interior Ministry nevertheless published footage of the arrival of two former prisoners.

According to Abdul Mateen Kani and US documents, Abdul Zahir arrived at the controversial US detention center at Guantanamo Bay in 2002. This prison was opened on the island of Cuba after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, as part of the “war on terrorism.” Abdul Karim was transferred there a year later after being detained in Pakistan and then handed over to American authorities.

The two men were then transferred to Oman, where they were kept under surveillance for seven years without the right to leave, Abdul Mateen Kani reported on Channel X on Sunday. “Thanks to the efforts of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, the restrictions imposed were achieved. removed, and they will return to their homeland,” he added. Ahead of their arrival, signs were erected along the road leading to Kabul airport welcoming the two and heightened security was deployed.

More than one Afghan prisoner at Guantanamo Bay

There is only one Afghan prisoner left at Guantanamo. Muhammad Rahim arrived there in March 2008. The CIA accused him of being a close associate of al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. His family demanded his release in November.

Guantanamo Bay prison houses up to 780 prisoners. He became famous for keeping his most important prisoners in cages and for his brutal interrogation methods, which many call torture. Over the years, most of those detained have been released, including some members of Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban government. The Biden administration has worked to reduce the number of prisoners held at Guantanamo Bay with the ultimate goal of closing the prison.