Sudanese prisoners in Guantanamo to return home

KHARTOUM, Sudan, March 27, 2004 (UPI) — Sudan said Saturday two of its nationals who were detained in U.S. custody at Guantanamo, Cuba, will return home next week after they are freed.

Foreign Ministry official Najib al-Khair told reporters in Khartoum that nine more Sudanese prisoners held at Guantanamo will be released soon, while one will be tried by court martial.

Al-Khair said a special U.S. aircraft would repatriate two of 12 Sudanese prisoners Monday, adding that they were released by the American authorities several weeks ago.

Hundreds of Muslim prisoners have been held at the U.S. military base in Guantanamo since the U.S. launched its “war on terrorism” in Afghanistan in October 2001, as a response to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States.

The Sudanese minister said one prisoner, Ibrahim al-Qoussi, was unlikely to be released since he is expected to stand trial. Al-Qoussi worked as a driver for al-Qaida leader

Osama bin Laden in Sudan from 1991 to 1996.

The Sudanese government asked bin Laden to leave the country in 1996.