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22 September 2004

U.S. Releases Enemy Combatant to Return to Saudi Arabia

U.S. demands that combatant renounce claim to U.S. citizenship

U.S. authorities are preparing to release enemy combatant Yaser Esam Hamdi from custody for transfer to Saudi Arabia, where he is a citizen, the Department of Justice said in a press release September 22.

The conditions for Hamdi's release stipulate that once he arrives in Saudi Arabia, Hamdi must renounce any claim he has to U.S. citizenship and abide by strict travel restrictions, the press release said.

"[T]he United States has no interest in detaining enemy combatants beyond the point that they pose a threat to the U.S. and our allies," the press release said.

Following is the text of the press release:

(begin text)

U.S. Department of Justice
Washington, D.C.

SEPTEMBER 22, 2004

STATEMENT OF MARK CORALLO, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS, REGARDING YASER HAMDI

"The United States and enemy combatant Yaser Esam Hamdi and his counsel have signed an agreement that allows Hamdi to be released from United States custody and transferred to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where he is a citizen. The agreement requires Hamdi, once he arrives in Saudi Arabia, to renounce any claim he has to U.S. citizenship and to abide by strict travel restrictions.

"Mr. Hamdi was taken into the custody of U.S. armed forces after he surrendered as part of a Taliban military unit. Like many other enemy combatants captured and detained by U.S. armed forces in Afghanistan who have been subsequently released, the United States has determined that Mr. Hamdi could be transferred out of United States custody subject to strict conditions that ensure the interests of the United States and our national security. As we have repeatedly stated, the United States has no interest in detaining enemy combatants beyond the point that they pose a threat to the U.S. and our allies.

"Mr. Hamdi's transfer is currently being arranged."

(end text)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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