US releases 2 Malaysians from Guantanamo Bay after 18 years

ANKARA

The US has returned two Malaysian nationals to Kuala Lumpur after holding them for 18 years at the Guantanamo Bay detention facility, local media reported on Wednesday.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail confirmed that Malaysia had accepted the detainees and facilitated their return to the country, according to the New Straits Times.

Mohamad Farik Amin, 48, and Mohammed Nazir Lep, 47, were arrested in Thailand in 2003 in connection with the 2002 Bali bombings, which killed 202 people.

Neither of the suspects faced trial during their detention.

In a separate statement, the US Department of Defense confirmed that both men had pled guilty before a Military Commission to multiple offenses, including murder in violation of the law of war, intentionally causing serious bodily injury, conspiracy, and destruction of property in violation of the law of war.

Last month, Secretary of Defense Austin notified Congress of his intent to repatriate Amin and Lep to Malaysia.

As of now, 27 detainees remain at Guantanamo Bay: 15 are eligible for transfer, 3 are eligible for a Periodic Review Board, 7 are involved in the military commissions process, and 2 detainees have been convicted and sentenced by military commissions, according to the statement.

The Pentagon also confirmed the repatriation of Mohammed Abdul Malik Bajabu from Guantanamo Bay to Kenya.

Bajabu spent over 17 years in detention without charge.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid