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| Europe |
| Three Algerian Detainees Set for Transfer to Bosnia |
| 2008-12-17 |
| The Bush administration has decided to transfer three Algerian detainees to their adopted homeland of Bosnia, a decision that partially complies with the order of a federal judge who said last month that five Algerians should be released "forthwith," rejecting government allegations that the men were dangerous enemy combatants. But Lakhdar Boumediene, the Algerian whose name is associated with a landmark Supreme Court decision regarding the legal rights of those held at the naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, remains in limbo despite the U.S. District Court ruling and the imminent release of his countrymen. Administration officials and other sources, who declined to be identified because of the sensitivity of the issue, said yesterday that authorities at the base have begun to prepare for a transfer, a process that includes moving detainees to a pre-release facility at Guantanamo and having them undergo exit interviews with the International Committee of the Red Cross. Three have had exit interviews in recent days, sources said. Those three men are expected to be flown out of Guantanamo today, weather permitting in Sarajevo. A Pentagon spokeswoman declined to comment, citing operational concerns. The ICRC also declined to comment. |
| Posted by:Fred |