Four Afghan Guantanamo detainees repatriated: Pentagon

Shawali Khan, Khi Ali Gul, Abdul Ghani, and Mohammed Zahir have been sent back to Afghanistan

WASHINGTON: The US has repatriated four Afghans who had been held at the Guantanamo Bay military prison, the Pentagon said on Saturday.

The Department of Defense said that the Afghan men, Shawali Khan, Khi Ali Gul, Abdul Ghani, and Mohammed Zahir had been moved from the detention facility in Cuba to the Afghanistan after a comprehensive review of their case.

A comprehensive review of this case had been conducted by the inter-agency Guantanamo Review Task Force following the January 22, 2009, executive order.

The detainees were subsequently unanimously approved for transfer by the six departments and agencies comprising the task force after completion of the review.

"As a result of that review, which examined a number of factors, including security issues, these men were unanimously approved for transfer by the six departments and agencies comprising the task force," a Pentagon statement said.

As par with statutory requirements, the Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel informed Congress of US’ intent of the transfer and of country’s determination that the transfer meets the statutory standard.

“The US coordinated with the Afghanistan government to ensure that the transfer took place consistent with appropriate security and humane treatment measures,” said the statement.

Now, 132 detainees remain at Guantanamo Bay.