Transfer of British Detainees Complete
January 25, 2005

The Department of Defense announced today that it transferred four British detainees from U.S. facilities in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (GTMO) to the custody of the United Kingdom.

The decision to transfer or release a detainee is based on many factors, including whether the detainee poses a continued threat to the United States or its allies and whether he is of further intelligence value. The decision to transfer these detainees was made after extensive discussions between the two governments.

During these discussions, the U.K. government requested their transfer and accepted responsibility for these detainees. It has assured the U.S. government that the detainees will not pose a continuing security threat to the United States or its allies. The Department of Defense has strong confidence in the U.K.s commitment and ability to fulfill this responsibility.

Because of operational and security considerations, no further details regarding the movement can be provided. During the course of the War on Terrorism, the Department of Defense expects that there will be other transfers or releases of detainees.

To date, 207 detainees have departed GTMO – 146 for release, and 61 transferred to the control of other governments (29 to Pakistan, five to Morocco, four to France, seven to Russia, four to Saudi Arabia, one to Spain, one to Sweden, nine to the United Kingdom and one to Kuwait). As a result of todays transfer, there are now approximately 545 detainees at GTMO.