Guantanamo prisoner released

A TERROR suspect imprisoned at the Guantanamo Bay detention centre for nearly 20 years has been released and sent back to his homeland.

The US Department of Defense announced on Saturday that Algerian Sufyian Barhoumi had been repatriated with assurances from the Algerian government that he would be treated humanely.

The Algerian authorities also said security measures would be imposed to reduce the risk that he could pose a threat in the future.

The Pentagon did not provide details about those security measures, which could include restrictions on travel.

Barhoumi was captured in Pakistan and taken to the US naval base on Cuba in 2002.

The US eventually decided he was involved with various extremist groups but was not a member of Al Qaeda or the Taliban, according to a report by a review board at the prison that approved his release in 2016. US authorities attempted to prosecute Barhoumi in 2008 but this was dropped amid legal challenges. Shayana Kadidal, of the US Center for Constitutional Rights, said: ‘I will dearly miss his constant good humour and empathy for the suffering of others in Guantanamo.’

Barhoumi’s release brings the total held there to 37 men, including 18 deemed eligible for repatriation or resettlement in a third country.