A Guantanamo Bay detainee who was released to Saudi Arabia in 2006 on the condition that he would take part in a “rehabilitation” program now has a $5 million reward on his head by the U.S. government.
The State Department is offering the cash reward for any information that leads to Ibrahim al-Rubaysh, who has been deemed a “senior leader” of al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).
The nonprofit organization Judicial Watch reported Monday that al-Rubaysh is believed to be in Yemen and that the bounty on his head is part of the Rewards for Justice Program, which seeks information on a total of eight suspected terrorist leaders.
“The bottom line remains; The U.S. had him and let him go. Now it’s offering a chunk of change for his capture,” the government watchdog wrote. “The reward program appears to be the government’s best hope of capturing this terrorist it once held.”
There are 132 detainees remaining at Guantanamo Bay detention facility. The Associated Press reported Dec. 20 that the number of terrorist suspects held there is at the lowest point since shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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