User:Geo Swan/Gitmo 2016-08-10


 * 1) Mohammed Rajab Sadiq Abu Ghanim
 * 2) Mahamedou Ould Slahi
 * 3) Karim Bostan
 * 4) Obaidullah
 * 5) Majid Mahmud Abdu Ahmed
 * 6) Muhammad Abd al-Rahman al-Shumrani
 * 7) Omar Khalif Mohammed Abu Bakr Mahjour Umar
 * 8) Abdel Malik Ahmed Abdel Wahab al Rahabi

<!-- Mohammed Rajab Sadiq Abu Ghanim, 41, of Yemen (awaiting transfer)

An experienced militant believed to have acted as a guard for al-Qaida chief Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan. He arrived in Afghanistan in late 2000, fought for the Taliban against the U.S.-backed Northern Alliance and worked for a charity linked to al-Qaida. He associated with several individuals responsible for the attack on the USS Cole, which killed 17 American sailors in Yemen, but there is no evidence that he had a role in the October 2000 attack. He was arrested in Pakistan in late 2001. In approving his transfer, a detainee review board noted that his behavior had improved since mid-2013 and he tried to educate himself while at Guantanamo and immerse himself in American culture.

Mahamedou Ould Slahi, 46, of Mauritania (awaiting transfer)

A militant who trained at an al-Qaida camp. While living in Germany, Canada and Mauritania, he recruited other militants, primarily to fight in Bosnia or Chechnya. The report said he facilitated the travel of future 9/11 operational coordinator Ramzi bin al-Shibh and two future 9/11 hijackers to Chechnya via Afghanistan in 1999. Slahi was skilled with electronics and computers. He was arrested in Senegal in January 2000 and moved to Mauritania where he was arrested again in November 2001, arriving at Guantanamo in August 2002. In approving his transfer, the board noted his compliant behavior in detention, his recognition of his past activities and change of mindset.

Karim Bostan, 48, of Afghanistan (awaiting transfer)

The suspected leader of an improvised explosive device cell affiliated with al-Qaida that is thought to have targeted U.S.-led coalition forces in eastern Afghanistan. "In this role, he probably planned, directed or conducted multiple attacks against coalition forces," the report said. He is believed to have taken orders from a senior al-Qaida paramilitary commander in Pakistan. He has consistently denied any involvement in militant activities. Since arriving at Guantanamo in March 2003, he has learned to read and write and has stayed fit. His lawyer, Paul Rashkind, says the detainee is a "loving father and grandfather, a shopkeeper and deeply reverent man," who dreams of returning to his village to help run the family flower shop. In approving his release, the board said that while he presents some level of threat, he has offered "credible statements regarding his commitment to live a peaceful life."

Obaidullah, 36, of Afghanistan (awaiting transfer)

Obaidullah has admitted to acquiring and planting anti-tank mines to target U.S. and other coalition forces in eastern Afghanistan. He was captured by U.S. special forces in July 2002. Twenty-three anti-tank land mines and a notebook containing schematics for detonators were recovered during his capture. He arrived at Guantanamo in October 2002. In clearing him for transfer, the review board said he has not expressed anti-U.S. sentiment or any intent to re-engage in militant activities.

Majid Mahmud Abdu Ahmed, 36, of Yemen (awaiting transfer)

Ahmed was recruited in his late teens in Yemen to fight for the Taliban. He trained with al-Qaida in Afghanistan. He fought on the front lines, became a bodyguard for bin Laden and was captured by Pakistani authorities with 30 other al-Qaida affiliated individuals. His detainee profile in November 2015 said Ahmed had been largely uncooperative with interrogators, "still harbors anti-U.S. sentiments and holds conservative Islamic views." In clearing him for transfer, the review board noted his candor in talking about his time in Afghanistan, his acceptance of mistakes he has made and mentioned the young age at which he was recruited.

Muhammad Abd al-Rahman al-Shumrani, 41, of Saudi Arabia (transferred)

A Saudi recruiter and fighter for al-Qaida, detained since January 2002, who "almost certainly remains committed to supporting extremist causes and has continued to incite other detainees against the detention staff at Guantanamo," the report said. Since February 2014, he has indicated possible plans to re-engage in terrorist activity and has followed the activities of Islamic State militants in Syria and Iraq. He told the review board that he is happy to return to Saudi Arabia and attend a government rehabilitation center. The board determined that any risk to his release could be adequately mitigated by Saudi Arabia. He was transferred there in January.

Omar Khalif Mohammed Abu Bakr Mahjour Umar, 44, of Libya (transferred)

He underwent extremist training in Libya, Sudan and Afghanistan and was a trainer in military skills, including explosives, at al-Qaida camps. Pakistani forces detained him in 2002 at a safe house run by senior al-Qaida figure Abu Zubaydah. There are no indications that he is in direct contact with militants outside Guantanamo, but he has tried to relay greetings to several Libyan former detainees, including one who has emerged as an extremist leader and could be in a position to help him re-engage. In approving his transfer, the review board noted his "significantly compromised health condition" and his recent contact with his family, indicating his intent to move forward in a positive manner. He arrived at Guantanamo in 2002 and was transferred to Senegal in April.

Abdel Malik Ahmed Abdel Wahab al Rahabi, 37, of Yemen (transferred)

A member of al-Qaida and former body guard for bin Laden, he also might have been selected by al-Qaida at one point to participate in a hijacking plot. Since mid-2013, he has complied with guards. He has made statements suggesting he continues to harbor animosity toward the U.S. and possibly sympathizes with extremist causes. His brother-in-law in Yemen is in contact with extremists in Syria. He was transferred to Montenegro in June. He told the board that he wants to forget the past and embark on a peaceful future with his wife and daughter. In approving his transfer, the board noted his changed mindset, desire to reintegrate into society and his acknowledgement of past mistakes. -->