DOD says government of Spain now detaining individual

The Department of Defense (DOD) announced February 13 that a Spanish national detained at the U.S. military facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, has been transferred for continued detention by the government of Spain. It gave no further details, citing "operational security considerations."

Guantanamo is being used as a detention facility for persons arrested in the global war on terrorism.

Following is a DOD news release:

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United States Department of Defense
News Release
Feb. 13, 2004

TRANSFER OF DETAINEE COMPLETE

The Department of Defense announced today the transfer of a Spanish-national detainee from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for continued detention by the Spanish Government.

Senior leadership of the Department of Defense, in consultation with other senior U.S. government officials, determined that this detainee no longer required detention by the United States.

Transfer or release of detainees can be based on many factors. The detainee assessment process is ongoing. The department is constantly reviewing the detention of detainees based on various factors, including whether an individual would pose a threat to the United States, if an individual is of further intelligence value, and whether an individual is going to be tried by the U.S. government for any crimes. Each factor is carefully considered before a release or transfer may occur.

During the course of the War on Terrorism, the department expects that there will be other transfers or releases of detainees.

Because of operational security considerations, no further details are available.

http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/2004/nr20040213-0981.html

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