Released: Muhammad al-Zahrani, 45, was sent back to his homeland after a U.S. government board decided that he no longer posed a threat A Saudi citizen with links to al Qaeda has been released from Guantanamo Bay after serving 12 years. Muhammad al-Zahrani, 45, was sent back to his homeland of Saudi Arabia on Friday after a U.S. government board decided that he no longer posed a threat. The move came as the U.S government whittles down the prison population at the controversial prison base in Cuba in a bid to close the controversial base. According to officials, even more prisoners will be released from the site where 142 men are currently held including 73 who have already been cleared for release.
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Muhammad al-Zahrani was released and sent back to Saudi Arabia on Friday
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He was deemed not to be a threat by a review board despite his terror links
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Another, Muhammed Abd Al Rahman Awn Al-Shamrani will remain detained
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He is considered to be a security threat and was a recruiter for al Qaeda
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Over 149 men are still being held at the base including 73 cleared for release
But has agreed to take part in a @placeholder program to rehabilitate militants upon his release.