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The Pakistani businessman
Saifullah P. has been released from the US prison camp in Guantanamo after 18 years in prison
Photo: Counsel to Saifullah Paracha / AP / dpa
After 18 years in the US Guantanamo prison camp in Cuba, a Pakistani citizen has been released and returned to his homeland.
The 75-year-old is now back with his family, said Pakistan's Foreign Ministry on Saturday in Islamabad.
According to Pakistani media reports, Saifullah P. was the oldest prisoner in the camp set up by the US after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
The Pakistani - a wealthy businessman residing in the US - was arrested in Thailand in 2003 and taken to Guantanamo the following year.
He was charged with helping the 9/11 attackers through a financial transaction.
He has always denied the allegations.
His son was also arrested on charges of supporting the terrorists.
He was in prison in the US.
However, his sentence was overturned and he was allowed to travel to Pakistan last year.
US President Biden promised to close camps
The United States had set up the prison camp in Cuba under then-President George W. Bush to hold suspected Islamist terrorists.
This was seen internationally as a violation of the rule of law and triggered sharp protests.
Bush's successor, the Democrat Barack Obama, wanted to close the prison camp, but failed because of resistance in the US Congress.
Republican Donald Trump, on the other hand, wanted to keep the camp open.
Biden - who was once Obama's vice president - has again stated that the goal is closure.
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At times, almost 800 people were detained in the camp, which is located at the US naval base in Guantanamo Bay.
Recently, the United States had repeatedly released prisoners.
In the summer, the Afghan Assadullah Harun returned to his homeland.
A few weeks ago, the Afghan heroin smuggler and arms dealer Bashir Nursai, who according to media reports was also imprisoned in Guantanamo, was released.
According to the US Department of Defense, 35 prisoners are currently being held there.
mpz / dpa / reuters