‘Gitmo inmate set for transfer to Saudi Arabia’

WASHINGTON: A Guantanamo Bay detainee who pleaded guilty to helping plan a 2002 attack on a French oil tanker is set to be transferred from the military prison to Saudi Arabia, an official said on Tuesday.

Saudi citizen Ahmed Mohammed Ahmed Haza al-Darbi has cooperated with the government since entering his plea four years ago, and prosecutors agreed he should be sent to a Saudi rehabilitation centre some time after February 20.

If transferred, Darbi would be the first Guantanamo inmate to be released since President Donald Trump took office more than a year ago. "Upon completion of all conditions, he may request to serve out any remaining portion of his sentence to confinement in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," Pentagon spokeswoman Commander Sarah Higgins said in a statement.

"These conditions, which are not in al-Darbi’s control, have not been finalised. He will continue to remain at Guantanamo until all details have been concluded." Darbi, who is the brother-in-law of one of the September 11, 2001 plane hijackers, admitted to planning, aiding and supporting an attack on the MV Limburg which killed a Bulgarian sailor, injured a dozen and caused a large oil spill in the Gulf of Aden.