Kenya seeks repatriation of Guantanamo detainee
Mohammed Abdulmalik accused by US of involvement in 2002 attack on Israel-owned Kenyan beach hotel, unsuccessful attempt to bring down Israel-bound plane in coastal city of Mombasa
The United States accused Mohammed Abdulmalik of involvement in a 2002 attack on an Israeli-owned Kenyan beach hotel and an unsuccessful attempt to bring down an Israel-bound plane in the coastal city of Mombasa. He has been in Guantanamo since 2007.
In a March 2 letter obtained by Reuters on Wednesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told lawyers representing Abdulmalik's family it was trying to secure his transfer.
"The Ministry wishes to inform you that the Minister ... Moses Wetang'ula, has initiated the process of addressing the case of Abdulmalik's repatriation back home," the ministry said in its letter to Mbugua Mureithi and Company Advocates.
The letter did not specify what the government was doing to secure Abdulmalik's repatriation.
In December, Abdulmalik's family sued the government for his wrongful detention and torture and asked for a 2.25 billion shilling compensation. The case is still pending in court.
US President Barack Obama has pledged to close Guantanamo Bay – set up after the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States and a focus of controversy because of torture and rights abuses allegations – and move suspected militants for trial on US soil.
But he has encountered legal and political problems that have delayed his plans to close the prison.
