Pakistani Brothers To Reunite With Family After 20 Years In Guantanamo

Two Pakistani brothers, Abdul, and Mohammed Rabbani, arrested from Karachi in 2002, are the latest inmates to be released from US custody.

Abdul, 55, and Mohammed Rabbani, 53, will be reunited with their families after a formal questioning by Pakistani authorities, security officials and a Pakistani senator said on Friday.

According to officials, “Two Pakistani brothers held by the United States at Guantanamo Bay military prison for two decades have been freed by US officials and have returned home”.

Pakistani Senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan, the chairman of the human rights committee in the upper house of Pakistan’s parliament tweeted, “Another good news. 54 years old, and 52 years old from Dubai, Ahmed Ghulam Rabbani and Abdul Rahim Ghulam Rabbani escaped from Guantanamo Bay and reached Islamabad Airport. They were innocently imprisoned in Guantanamo Bay for 21 years. There was no trial, no court proceedings, and no charges against them. Congratulations on their release. Thank you, Senate of Pakistan. #Congratulations”, through his official Twitter handle.

The two brothers were originally transferred to US custody after Pakistani officials arrested them in their home city of Karachi in 2002. US officials accused the two of helping al-Qaeda members with housing and other lower-level logistical support.

The brothers alleged torture while in CIA custody before being transferred to Guantanamo. US military records describe the two as providing little intelligence of value or recanting statements made during interrogations on the grounds they were obtained by physical abuse.

US military announcement

The US military announced their repatriation in a statement.

The defence department said, “The United States appreciates the willingness of the Government of Pakistan and other partners to support ongoing US efforts focused on responsibly reducing the detainee population and ultimately closing the Guantanamo Bay facility”.

Guantanamo at its peak in 2003 held about 600 people whom the United States considered terrorists.

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