Former Guantanamo detainee Saifullah Paracha repatriated to Pakistan

Saifullah Paracha, a previous detainee at the Guatanamo Bay detention center, has actually been repatriated to Pakistan, according to a declaration from the Department of Defense.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin formerly alerted Congress in September of his intent to repatriate Paracha, who had actually been kept in United States detention considering that 2003 for supposed ties to al Qaeda.

The Defense Department declaration stated that “the United States values the determination of Pakistan and other partners to support continuous U.S. efforts concentrated on properly lowering the detainee population and eventually closing the Guantanamo Bay center.”.

A declaration from Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs validated that Paracha had actually shown up in the nation on Saturday, including that the Foreign Ministry “finished a substantial inter-agency procedure to help with the repatriation of Mr. Paracha.”.

” We are happy that a Pakistani resident apprehended abroad is lastly reunited with his household,” the declaration continued.

Maya Foa, the director of Reprieve, a detainee advocacy group dealing with Paracha, stated, “Saifullah is going back to his household as a frail old male, having actually been drawn from them in the prime of his life. That oppression can never ever be remedied.”.

Paracha, 75, had considerable health concerns while in United States custody. He suffered his 3rd cardiac arrest (his second while in United States custody) in June 2020, according to a declaration from Reprieve. He was the earliest detainee at Guantanamo Bay at the time of his release.

Foa thanked the Biden administration for the choice to launch Paracha however pushed the White Home to close Guantanamo Bay completely.

” The Biden administration is worthy of some credit for accelerating the release of Guantanamo detainees who were never ever charged with a criminal activity, however the U.S.A.’s accept of indefinite detention without trial has actually done long lasting damage,” Foa stated. “We can just start to fix it when Guantánamo is closed for great.”.

Thirty-five detainees stay at Guantanamo Bay, the Pentagon stated in its declaration Saturday, including that, “20 are qualified for transfer; 3 are qualified for a Routine Evaluation Board; 9 are associated with the military commissions procedure; and 3 detainees have actually been founded guilty in military commissions.”.

This story has actually been upgraded with extra response.