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Freed Detainee Becomes Al-Qaeda Chief

After Gitmo, suspected in bombing of US embassy in Yemen

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 23, 2009 7:36 AM CST
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(Newser) – As Barack Obama prepares to close Guantanamo Bay, the story of Said Ali al-Shihri provides a cautionary tale. Released from the prison camp in 2007, the Saudi has become the deputy leader of al-Qaeda’s Yemeni branch and is suspected of involvement in the bombing of the US embassy there in September, the New York Times reports.

The militant group identified Shihri as its deputy leader in an online statement, noting that he was released from Guantanamo “more than 10 months ago.” “They’re one and the same guy,” said an American counterterrorism official. “The lesson here is, whoever receives former Guantanamo detainees needs to keep a close eye on them.” Shihri completed a rehabilitation program for ex-jihadists when he was returned to Saudi Arabia, then disappeared.

Smokes raise from the US Embassy in San'a, Yemen, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2008 after a car bomb targeting the Embassy hit the front gate of the compound.
Smokes raise from the US Embassy in San'a, Yemen, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2008 after a car bomb targeting the Embassy hit the front gate of the compound.   (AP Photo/SABA)
In this Nov. 18, 2008, file photo, reviewed by the U.S. Military, a guard sits in a tower overlooking the Guantanamo detention facility on the U.S. Naval Base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
In this Nov. 18, 2008, file photo, reviewed by the U.S. Military, a guard sits in a tower overlooking the Guantanamo detention facility on the U.S. Naval Base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.   (AP Photo)
A detainee sits on his prayer rug and holds a string of prayer beads in Camp Delta detention facility on Guantanamo Bay US Naval Base, Cuba.
A detainee sits on his prayer rug and holds a string of prayer beads in Camp Delta detention facility on Guantanamo Bay US Naval Base, Cuba.   (AP Photo)
Detainees wearing orange jump suits sit in a holding area as military police patrol during in-processing at the temporary detention facility Camp X-Ray on Guantanamo Bay.
Detainees wearing orange jump suits sit in a holding area as military police patrol during in-processing at the temporary detention facility Camp X-Ray on Guantanamo Bay.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
bacimom
Jan 25, 2009 11:17 PM CST
The question is why was he in jail to begin with? WHy was he released... shown to be not guilty of the "crimes" put away for and would he have joined Al Quaida if he'd never been sent to Gitmo? Gitmo and the other even darker prisons bred hatred, especially among those brought to those places from foreign lands who were just going about their lives. The same reason that torturing people leaves our soldiers and citizens in danger from the same. No rule that says foreign governments can not proscecute or jail our soldiers means diddly. You make a bed of nails and you must need lie upon it.
justme
Jan 23, 2009 9:31 PM CST
One more time the world, including US soldiers, will pay the price for letting politics overrule common sense.
vendetta
Jan 23, 2009 7:10 PM CST
We all knew this was comming. This is the price we pay for restoring this countrys humanity, and honor that was so easily thrown away by the Bush Admin. and the Conservatives, and yes eve nthe Democrats. You cant keep people in jail, indeffinitly and torture them. Those of you who don't get this I feel sorry for you.

European nations divided on taking Gitmo prisoners
Boston Globe

Duncan Hunter doesn't want them in San Diego
Associated Press

Yemen sets up jihadist rehab center
Arab News

 
Saudi Arabia • Guantanamo Bay • detainee • Yemen • Guantanamo prisoners • al-Qaeda • Said Ali al-Shihri

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