Guantánamo Bay files: Cleared for release but stuck behind bars

Some of the prisoners who have long since been cleared for release or transfer but are still being held

Ahmad Muhamman Yaqub

Chinese. In Guantánamo since May 2002

Ahmed Mohammed Yaqub Ahmed Mohammed Yaqub.

Described as the "leader" of the 22 Uighurs detained in Guantánamo, Yaqub was the last to be cleared for transfer by camp authorities. Yaqub is described in his file as a leading member of an Islamic group in Afghanistan and a subordinate to Bin Laden lieutenant Abdul al-Hadi al-Iraqi. Yaqub was captured near Tora Bora with around 100 others.

Abul Khaled al-Baydani

Abdul Khaled al-Baydani Abdul Khaled al-Baydani.

Saudi Arabian/Yemeni. In Guantánamo since May 2002

Described as "an al-Qaida associated fighter and a probable member of al-Qaida", al-Baydani allegedly fought in Osama bin Laden's Arab brigade at Tora Bora. Guantánamo assessors noted al-Baydani "expressed his encouragement for and desires to engage in further hostilities against US forces". Nonetheless he is assessed as of low intelligence value and has been recommended for transfer for continued detention since at least December 2006.

Abdul Mohammed Rahman

Tunisian. In Guantánamo since September 2004

Rahman has been recommended for release since June 2004, though Guantánamo staff maintain he attended al-Qaida traning camps in the 1990s. The primary reason for release is ill health: Rahman has a mechanical heart valve and is on a regimen of medication including blood thinners. However, as other Tunisian detainees were imprisoned after trials deemed unfair by US courts, Rahman has remained in Guantánamo.

Suleman Awad Suleman Bin Agil Alnahdi

Mohammed Mustafa Sahil Mohammed Mustafa Sahil.

Yemeni. In Guantánamo since June 2002

Recommended for detention in another country, Alnahdi is "assessed to be a member of al-Qaida who participated in hostilities against US and Coalition forces". Like many of the 18 Yemenis whose files recommend transfer, Alnahdi is believed by US forces to have participated in battles at Tora Bora, but only as a junior al-Qaida recruit. However, US fears over the Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh's ability to hold detainees has kept him at the base.

Mohammed Mustafa Sahil

Afghan. In Guantánamo since May 2003

Sahil's file states he was an accomplice in a plot to "assassinate both the Afghan president and the US ambassador" as a possible member of an anti-coalition militia. However, his file also warns "it remains undetermined whether detainee was a willing participant in the attack plot or was coerced by conspirators" and notes there was no evidence as to his membership or seniority in militias. As a result he was downgraded by military authorities without new evidence and cleared for transfer in 2008.

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