The Obama administration is now conducting a review of potential military sites inside the United States to transfer Guantanamo Bay detainees who still pose a national security threat. President Barack Obama still wants to close the prison before his term is up, and so the Pentagon has investigated domestic facilities to hold detainees in the long-term if the administration manages to shutter Gitmo.
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The 39-year-old Shalabi will be taking part in a Saudi rehabilitation program for militants.
Today, 114 detainees remain at Guantanamo Bay.
Shalabi was among the first prisoners brought to Guantánamo in January 2002. The files state that he was captured by Pakistani forces in December 2001 as he attempted to cross the Pakistan-Afghanistan border with other suspected al-Qaida fighters.
Shalabi, 39, is alleged to have been a member of al-Qaeda and a bodyguard for Osama bin Laden, according to military documents published by The New York Times. The United States coordinated with the Saudi government to ensure this transfer took place consistent with appropriate security and humane treatment measures.
With Shalabi’s transfer, there are nine Saudis remaining at the prison, but only Shaker Aamer, a British resident, has been cleared for release.
Shalabi’s release follows the recent transfer of another prisoner, Abdurrahman Chekkouri, to his native Morroco. He has signed off on the transfer of eight detainees since taking the top job at the Pentagon in mid-February, but most of those were previously arranged.
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The Periodic Review board that guided Shalabi to the exit offered the following reasons for their decision, ranging from his terror sins are “in the past” and he has since lived a “quiet” life.
