February 24, 10

NEWS / United States Transfers Three Guantanamo Bay Detainees to Albania

The Department of Justice today announced that three detainees have been transferred from the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay to the custody and control of the Government of Albania.

As directed by the President’s January 22, 2009 Executive Order, the interagency Guantanamo Review Task Force conducted a comprehensive review of these cases. As a result of that review, which examined a number of factors, including security issues, the detainees were approved for transfer by unanimous consent among all the agencies involved in the Task Force. In accordance with Congressionally-mandated reporting requirements, the Administration informed Congress of its intent to transfer the detainees at least 15 days before their transfer.

Earlier today, Saleh Bin Hadi Asasi, a native of Tunisia, Sharif Fati Ali al Mishad, a native of Egypt, and Abdul Rauf Omar Mohammad Abu al Qusin, a native of Libya, were transferred to the Government of Albania. The United States is grateful to the Government of Albania for its willingness to support U.S. efforts to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility.

These transfers were carried out under an individual arrangement between the United States and the Government of Albania. The United States coordinated with the Government of Albania to ensure the transfers took place under appropriate security measures and consultations regarding these individuals will continue.

Since 2002, more than 580 detainees have departed Guantanamo Bay for other destinations, including Albania, Algeria, Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Belgium, Bermuda, Chad, Denmark, Egypt, France, Hungary, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Maldives, Mauritania, Morocco, Pakistan, Palau, Portugal, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Somalia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Sudan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Uganda, United Kingdom and Yemen.

Today, 189 detainees remain at Guantanamo Bay.

http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2010/February/10-ag-186.html