Pentagon Transfers Three Detainees from Guantanamo Bay
Mohammed Farik bin Amin and Mohammed Nazir bin Lep entered guilty pleas in January to charges of murder, deliberate causing of bodily harm, conspiracy, and destruction of property in violation of the law of war, as stated by the Department of Defense (DOD).
Both individuals were sent back to Malaysia and had cooperated with U.S. authorities by providing information regarding the alleged mastermind behind the bombings, Encep Nurjaman, who is linked to al-Qaida.
Nurjaman is suspected of orchestrating the 2002 nightclub attacks as well as a 2003 bombing at the J.W. Marriott Hotel in Jakarta, Indonesia.
A memorial service took place in Bali in 2022 to honor the 20th anniversary of the tragic bombings, which claimed the lives of 88 Australians, seven Americans, and various other foreign visitors.
A car bomb destroyed the Sari Club while a suicide bomb went off near Paddy’s Pub simultaneously. Both establishments were located in a popular tourist zone that suffered a decline post-attacks.
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The site where the Sari Club once thrived is now a vacant lot, while Paddy’s Pub, though not directly targeted, continues its operations at a different location.
Tim Watts, Australia’s Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, addressed the memorial service.
“We will forever honor the memory of the 202 innocent lives lost, most of whom were under 40, with the youngest being just 13 years old,” he remarked. “We stand with the survivors, families, and relatives, offering them our support. We also celebrate the courage and heroism shown by those who faced the darkest aspects of humanity yet responded with compassion.”
A Periodic Review Board (PRB), composed of officials from the Defense, Homeland Security, Justice, and State departments, concluded in 2021 that Bajabu’s continued detention was unnecessary.
According to the DOD, there are currently 29 detainees at Guantanamo Bay, with 15 eligible for transfer.
Among them, three detainees qualify for a PRB hearing, seven are undergoing military commission processes, and four have been tried and sentenced by military commissions.
Contributions to this report were made by The Associated Press.
