US transfers Yemeni inmate from Guantanamo to Montenegro

This undated photo taken by the International Red Cross, shows Abdel Malik Wahab al-Rahabi somewhere inside the Guantanamo Bay military prison in Cuba.

The Pentagon has transferred a Yemeni detainee from the Guantanamo Bay military prison to Montenegro, the Pentagon says.

Abdel Malik Ahmed Abdel Wahab al-Rahabi, 36, was transferred to the government of Montenegro in a manner “consistent with appropriate security and humane treatment measures,” the Pentagon said on Wednesday.

“The United States is grateful to the government of Montenegro for its humanitarian gesture and willingness to support ongoing US efforts to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility," it added.

The inmate was recommended for release by six government agencies and departments.

Rahabi, along with another prisoner, has received hearing before the Periodic Review Board, which is made up of senior-level officials from various US government agencies.

He was arrested in December 2001 among a group of 31 other suspects. His release would bring the number of detainees in the military prison down to 79.

Two other prisoners- Ghaleb Nassar Al Bihani and Ali Ahmad al-Rahizi have also been notified that their cases will be heard next.

As many as 775 detainees were brought to the notorious prison, which was set up after the September 11, 2001 attacks.

US President Barack Obama had promised to close the notorious military prison during the 2008 presidential election campaign, citing its damage to the US reputation abroad.

Obama, however, has failed to deliver on his campaign promise partly due to stiff opposition from Congress.

A Senate report in December 2014 revealed that the CIA has used a wide array of sexual abuse and other forms of torture as part of its interrogation methods against Guantanamo prisoners.