US finally sends Tunisian detainee home after years of detention without charge
- Ridah Bin Saleh al-Yazidi was held at Guantanamo Bay since 2002 without being charged with a crime.
- He was cleared for transfer in 2009 but was not repatriated until January 2024 after agreements were finalized with Tunisia.
- His release reflects the U.S. government's ongoing efforts to address human rights concerns associated with indefinite detention.
The Pentagon announced the repatriation of Ridah Bin Saleh al-Yazidi, a 59-year-old Tunisian, who had been held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba since its opening in January 2002. Captured in late 2001 by Pakistani authorities, Yazidi was part of a group of fighters crossing the border from Afghanistan's Tora Bora region. Despite being identified by U.S. assessments as an al Qaeda associate, he was never charged with any crime, having been cleared for transfer since 2009. Nonetheless, his transfer had been delayed due to the lack of a suitable destination agreement. In January 2024, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin informed Congress that the U.S. had finalized the necessary arrangements with Tunisia for his return. This case underscores the complexities and long-standing criticisms regarding detainee rights and the U.S.'s global military operations. Yazidi's transfer was part of a strategic decision by the Biden administration, which continues to work towards the eventual closure of the Guantanamo detention facility, aiming to resolve longstanding issues surrounding the status of remaining detainees. As of now, 26 detainees remain at Guantanamo, with 14 of them cleared for transfer, highlighting ongoing concerns about U.S. military practices and the human rights implications of prolonged detention without trial.