[Al Arabiya Latest] Two Syrian detainees held at the controversial American prison, Guantanamo Bay, have been sent to Portugal on Friday by United States authorities, who freed them to live in the community as President Barack Obama tries to close the facility in five months.The two detainees "arrived Aug. 28 in Portugal... and they were released," the Portuguese interior ministry said in a statement on its website.
They are "not subject to any charge, they are free people and are living in homes provided by state," officials said. The two men had been cleared of any terrorism charges but could not return to their home country for fear of persecution. Their names were not released.
Earlier the U.S. Department of Justice said the two Syrian nationals, who have not been identified, "have been transferred from the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay to the control of the government of Portugal."
The U.S. "has coordinated with the government of Portugal to ensure the transfers take place under appropriate security measures and will continue to consult with the government of Portugal regarding these detainees," it added in a statement.