President Obama Snubs Trump, Frees Guantanamo Detainees

The United States of America has transferred four inmates of the Guantanamo Bay detention facility to the Government of Saudi Arabia.

President Barack Obama’s action is against the advisory of President-elect Donald Trump.

Transferred,according to the Department of Defence, are Salem Ahmad Hadi Bin Kanad, Muhammed Rajab Sadiq Abu Ghanim, Abdallah Yahya Yusif Al-Shibli and Muhammad Ali Abdallah Muhammad Bwazir.

The department said that following Obama’s Jan. 22, 2009 executive order, the interagency Guantanamo Review Task Force conducted a comprehensive review of these cases “which examined a number of factors, including security issues.

“Al-Shibli and Bwazir were unanimously approved for transfer by the six departments and agencies comprising the task force.

“Periodic Review Boards consisting of representatives from the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, Justice, and State; the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence determined continued law of war detention of Kanad and Ghanim does not remain necessary to protect against a continuing significant threat to the security of the United States.

“As a result of those reviews, which examined a number of factors, including security issues, Kanad and Ghanim were recommended for transfer by consensus of the six departments and agencies comprising the Periodic Review Board.”

The Department said the Periodic Review Board process was established by the president’s March 7, 2011 Executive Order 13567.

It added that the final date of Periodic Review Board final determination for Salem Ahmad Hadi Bin Kanad was May 5, 2016, while that of Muhammed Rajab Sadiq Abu Ghanim was July 6, 2016.

“The United States is grateful to the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its humanitarian gesture and willingness to support ongoing U.S. efforts to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility.

“The United States coordinated with the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to ensure these transfers took place consistent with appropriate security and humane treatment measures.

“Today, 55 detainees remain at Guantanamo Bay,” the Department said.