Abu Zubaydah’s Possible Release After 22 Years of Torture and Detainment at Guantánamo Bay
Abu Zubaydah, the “forever prisoner” at Guantánamo Bay, may finally see the light of day after negotiations for his release began. Held without charges and subjected to torture for over two decades, he is now in talks with a redacted country to monitor him post-release indefinitely.
![Talks ongoing for Gaza Guantánamo detainee release 1 Zayn al Abidin Muhammad Husayn, a Palestinian known as Abu Zubaydah, is imprisoned at Guantanamo.](https://theintercept.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/GettyImages-113147207.jpg)
Photo: Department of Defense/Tribune News Service via Getty Images
Despite being labeled an important Al Qaeda operative with knowledge of 9/11, Abu Zubaydah’s status has now dwindled in the eyes of the U.S. government. With no formal charges brought against him, the detainee asserts a non-violent stance and a desire to contribute positively to society upon release.
As a stateless Palestinian with a complex history, his case poses unique challenges. Raised in Saudi Arabia but with roots in Gaza, Abu Zubaydah’s potential release represents a pivotal moment in the ongoing saga of Guantánamo’s detainees.
After years of periodic reviews maintaining his detention, will Abu Zubaydah finally secure his freedom?