Guantanamo Bay detainee transfer announced
Published February 2, 2023; 12:51 p.m.

WASHINGTON, DC -- The Department of Defense announced today the transfer of Majid Khan from the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay to Belize.

Majid Khan pled guilty before a Military Commission in February 2012. Pursuant to the terms of the plea agreement, Khan pledged to cooperate with the U.S. Government and honored his cooperation commitment. He was sentenced in 2021 to a term of confinement for over 10 years with credit for the years he spent cooperating with U.S. personnel. He has subsequently completed his sentence.

On December 22, 2022, Secretary of Defense Austin notified Congress of his intent to transfer Majid Khan to the Government of Belize, and, in consultation with Belize partners, we completed the requirements for responsible transfer.

The United States appreciates the willingness of the Government of Belize and other partners to support ongoing U.S. efforts focused on responsibly reducing the detainee population and ultimately closing the Guantanamo Bay facility.

Today, 34 detainees remain at Guantanamo Bay: 20 are eligible for transfer; 3 are eligible for a Periodic Review Board; 9 are involved in the military commissions process; and 2 remaining detainees have been convicted in military commissions.