Combatant Status Review Tribunals Update
January 19, 2005

The Department of Defense announced the findings of 87 Combatant Status Review Tribunals today. Of the 87 findings, one was found to no longer be an enemy combatant. As with previous detainee movements, a press release will be issued when the detainee movement is complete.

Since July 30, 2004, the Office for the Administrative Review of the Detention of Enemy Combatants has conducted 550 tribunals. The Convening authority, Rear Adm. James M. McGarrah, has reviewed and finalized 330 tribunals, of which 327 have remained classified as enemy combatants, and three have been determined to no longer be enemy combatants.

In addition to conducting a hearing for all detainees, each CSRT reviews and assesses relevant and reasonably available documents about each detainee to make a determination to confirm or reclassify the status of each individual.

The process of assessing detainees is difficult and involves a certain degree of risk. Current reports indicate that about 12 of the203 detainees that were transferred from GTMO have taken part in anti-Coalition activities. Before deciding whether a detainee can leave Guantanamo, a multi-level review process assesses each case based on the best information available at the time, understanding that many detainees are highly skilled in concealing the truth.

In the future, announcements of detainees who are found to no longer be enemy combatants will be posted in the update that can be found at http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Combatant_Tribunals.html