‘Guantanamo Diary author released to Mauritania’

A longtime Guantanamo Bay prisoner, who wrote a best-selling book about his experiences in the controversial military prison, has been released to his home country of Mauritania, the Pentagon said on Tuesday.

The release of Mohamedou Ould Slahi, believed to be the last inmate from Mauritania held at the facility in Cuba, brings the prison’s remaining population down to 60. 

His case became a cause celebre after the publication of ‘Guantanamo Diary’ last year, in which he says he was subjected to torture. 

“The US is grateful to the government of Mauritania for its humanitarian gesture and willingness to support the ongoing US efforts to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility,” the US Defense Department said.