Two former Afghan detainees from the American military prison at Guantanamo returned to Afghanistan on Monday, more than 20 years after their arrest, announced relatives, as well as the spokesperson for the Afghan Interior Ministry, Abdul Mateen Qani.
Abdul Karim and Abdul Zahir landed at Kabul airport on Monday morning from Oman.
They were transferred there in 2017 and placed under house arrest, said the son of the second, Mohammad Osman, and members of airport staff.
“By the grace of God and the efforts of the leaders of the Islamic Emirate, he returned to the country,” Mohammad Osman said.
" I am very happy.
When I woke up this morning, I felt like it was (the Muslim holiday of) Eid.
» The two ex-detainees were shielded by the authorities from the view of the press and the large crowd which had gathered at the airport to welcome them, some people holding bouquets.
The Afghan Interior Ministry still published images of the arrival of the two ex-prisoners.
ښاغلی ملا عبدالظاهر صابر او حاجی عبدالکریم ګونتانامو کې له شل کلن ز ندانه وروسته پخیر کابل ته را ورسیدل
دکابل نړیوال هوايي ډګر ته د اسلام ي امارت مشرتابه پلاوۍ، امنیتي ځواکونه او نور عام ولسونه بدرګې او ښه ر اغلاست ته ورغلي وو.
بشپړ راپور په لاندې لینک کې…https://t.co/CG4thmmcLq pic.twitter.com/v01Tx7vfbd
— Ministry of Interior Affairs- Afghanistan (@moiafghanistan) February 12, 2024
Abdul Zahir arrived in the controversial American detention center at Guantanamo in 2002, according to Abdul Mateen Qani and American documents.
This prison was opened on the island of Cuba after the attacks of September 11, 2001 as part of the “war on terrorism”.
Abdul Karim was transferred there a year later, after being detained in Pakistan and then handed over to American authorities.
The two men were then transferred to Oman, where they had been under surveillance for seven years, without the right to travel, Abdul Mateen Qani said on Sunday on X. “Thanks to the efforts of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, the restrictions imposed have been lifted and they will return to their native country,” he added.
Before their arrival, signs to welcome the two men had been placed along the road leading to Kabul airport and strong security had been deployed.
More than one Afghan detainee at Guantanamo
There is only one Afghan detainee left at Guantanamo.
Muhammad Rahim arrived there in March 2008. He was accused by the CIA of being a close associate of Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.
His family called for his release in November.
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Guantanamo Prison has housed up to 780 detainees.
It became infamous for keeping its most important detainees in cages and its brutal interrogation methods, described by many as torture.
Most of the detainees have been released over the years, including some members of Afghanistan's ruling Taliban government.
The Biden administration has worked to reduce the number of detainees locked up at Guantanamo, with the eventual goal of closing the prison.