Senator Kirk Statement on Missing Guantanamo Detainee

Statement

U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) issued a statement after reports revealed that Wa'el Dhiab, a 44-year-old Syrian national and former Guantanamo Bay terrorist detainee who went missing in South America resurfaced in Venezuela after successfully evading authorities for weeks. Dhiab, who is also known as "Jihad Ahmed Mustafa Dhiab,' reportedly snuck into Brazil after the Administration released him from Gitmo to the custody of Uruguay in 2014. According to reports, Dhiab requested assistance to enable his travel to Turkey.

"The Administration should face the reality that it's continued determination to release hardened terrorists from Guantanamo Bay is dangerous and even deadly, especially after it was revealed 12 former Gitmo detainees are responsible for terrorist attacks that have killed six Americans," Senator Kirk said. "It's alarming to see that a former Gitmo detainee evaded authorities for weeks as he reportedly sought assistance to travel to another country like Turkey, which has served as major pipeline for fighters traveling to and from Syria to fight with ISIS. As the Administration continues to transfer detainees to the custody of foreign governments, it should be transparent with Congress and the American people about agreements reached between the United States and countries which agree to accept Gitmo detainees. With 30 percent of former Gitmo detainees suspected or confirmed of reengaging in terrorism, we cannot afford to lose track of hardened terrorist detainees transferred to foreign countries."

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