US transfers two Guantanamo detainees to Algeria

The US Department of Justice has announced that two Algerian detainees, Hasan Zemiri and Adil Hadi al Jazairi Bin Hamlili, have been transferred from the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay to the custody and control of the government of Algeria.

• The announcement made yesterday is in pursuance of the directive by the US president’s of 22 January, 2009 for the review of the cases of detainees.

  As a result of that review, which examined a number of factors, including the potential threat posed by each individual and the receiving country’s demonstrated capabilities to mitigate potential threats posed by the individuals in their home country, each detainee was approved for transfer. The transfers were approved by unanimous consent among all the agencies involved in the review – including the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as well as the Departments of Defense, State, Justice and Homeland Security.

  After following all the mandatory processes and reporting requirements, the Administration informed Congress of its intent to transfer these detainees at least 15 days before their transfer. These transfers were carried out under an arrangement between the United States and the Government of Algeria, also putting in place measures to ensure the transfers took place under appropriate security measures.

  Since 2002, more than 570 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, Somalia, Spain, Sweden, Sudan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Uganda, United Kingdom and Yemen.

  Eight detainees were transferred from Guantanamo Bay to Algeria under the previous Administration. Today, 196 detainees remain at Guantanamo Bay.