Yemeni Gitmo prisoner transferred to Montenegro

(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) WASHINGTON, June 23 (KUNA) -- A Yemeni national imprisoned in Guantanamo Bay has been transferred to Montenegro, as the Obama Administration works toward emptying and closing down the detention facility, the Pentagon announced late Wednesday.

Abdel Malik Ahmed Abdel Wahab Al-Rahabi, born in 1979, is said to be related to Osama bin Laden via marriage, according to a 2008 Department of Defense memo. He is also said to have trained with Al-Qaeda in Yemen and Afghanistan. In 2014, the US government decided that "continued law of war detention of Al-Rahabi does not remain necessary to protect against a continuing significant threat to the security of the United States," and subsequently recommended him for transfer, the Pentagon affirmed Wednesday.

"The United States is grateful to the Government of Montenegro for its humanitarian gesture and willingness to support ongoing US. efforts to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility. The United States coordinated with the Government of Montenegro to ensure this transfer took place consistent with appropriate security and humane treatment measures," the statement added. Up to 79 prisoners remain in Guantanamo, the Pentagon said. (end) ys.rk