Terror Suspect Transferred To Guantanamo -- 2007-09-27

The Department of Defense announced today the transfer of a dangerous terror suspect to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Inayatullah, an Afghan national, was captured as a result of ongoing DoD operations in the struggle against violent extremists in Afghanistan. He has admitted that he was the Al Qaeda Emir of Zahedan, Iran, and planned and directed Al Qaeda terrorist operations. Inayatullah collaborated with numerous Al Qaeda senior leaders, to include Abu Ubaydah al-Masri and Azzam, executing their instructions and personally supporting global terrorist efforts. Inayatullah attests to facilitating the movement of foreign fighters, significantly contributing to trans-national terrorism across multiple borders. Inayatullah met with local operatives, developed travel routes and coordinated documentation, accommodation and vehicles for smuggling unlawful combatants throughout countries including Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan and Iraq. Due to the continuing threat this terror suspect represents and his high placement in Al Qaeda, he has been transferred to Guantanamo. The detainees being held at Guantanamo have provided information essential to our ability to better understand how Al Qaeda operates and thus to prevent future attacks. As with all detainees in Guantanamo, Inayatullah will undergo a combatant status review tribunal, where he will be given the opportunity to review a summary of the evidence against him and contest his status. The International Committee of the Red Cross will be granted access to this detainee. With today’s transfer there are approximately 340 detainees at Guantanamo.