Two Pakistani Brothers Freed from Guantanamo After 20 Years of Imprisonment
After two decades of imprisonment, two Pakistani brothers have been released from the US military prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and returned to their homeland. Abdul and Mohammed Rabbani were arrested in 2002 in Pakistan, and were accused by US authorities of having worked for Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged mastermind of the September 11 attacks. The 55-year-old Abdul was one of the longest serving detainees at the Cuban base and his 33-year-old brother Mohammed was said to be in charge of logistics and finances for Khalid Sheikh Mohammed.
The two men were reportedly subjected to torture by US intelligence services, and were never officially prosecuted by American justice due to the legal loophole of Guantanamo. No information has been released regarding any conditions set by Pakistan for their return to the country.
Former US President Barack Obama had promised to close the controversial prison, which operates outside international law and where torture is used, but 32 people are still detained there. The legacy of Guantanamo and its use of torture still remains 19 years after its creation.