MIAMI -- An Afghan who once faced war crimes charges at Guantanamo has been cleared for release from the U.S. base in Cuba.
A U.S. review board says it is no longer necessary to continue holding the man known by the single name of Obaidullah. The findings of the Periodic Review Board in Obaidullah's case were posted on a Pentagon website Friday.
U.S. forces captured Obaidullah during a raid in Afghanistan in July 2002 when he was about 19. They found about 20 unactivated land mines buried in a field near his home. Authorities later concluded he was part of a bomb cell linked to al-Qaida but his lawyers have denied that allegation.
The charges against him were dismissed in 2011. There are 80 prisoners at Guantanamo, including 28 cleared for release.
