Uighur Brothers: Detainee Declines Offer To Leave Guantanamo Out Of Loyalty To Ailing Brother (VIDEO)

After eight years of detention, at least one Guantanamo Bay detainee declined an offer to resettle to the Pacific Island of Palau, according to The Washington Post. The man did so out of loyalty to his brother who is also a detainee and ailing from mental illness.

The men are Bahtiyar Mahnu and his brother Arkin. The brothers are Chinese Muslims known as Uighurs :

The only detainee not invited by Palau was Bahtiyar's older brother, Arkin Mahmud, 45, who has developed mental health problems that are apparently too serious to be treated in the sparsely populated country, said his attorney, Elizabeth Gilson.

To make matters worse, according to Gilson and military records, Arkin is a prisoner only because he went searching for Bahtiyar after the younger brother left their homeland eight years ago.

The brothers' lawyer Elizabeth Gilson explained their situation to The Washington Post.

Watch the interview with Elizabeth Gilson:

Comments

[TheOnlooker]

09:06 AM on 09/28/2009

It is touching and tragic at the same time. Hope the situation has a positive outcome soon...

[kitkatborn]

08:39 AM on 09/28/2009

We can surely show compassion to these men and have them released somewhere where the one brother can get treatment for his illness. I find it deplorable that we refuse to act in a "Christian" manner towards the sick & yet are angry when people with reasons to hate us lash out in that anger.

[ImissBush]

08:35 AM on 09/28/2009

just shows u how dangerous & evil they R

[aspiecelia]

08:25 AM on 09/28/2009

The mentally ill brother probaby has PTSD from being left in solitary confinement and possibly tortured. The people who wrongfully arrested them and wrongfully imprisoned them should give them a place to live in their country. That would be here, the US. Why is the US kowtowing to China? Afraid they won't loan us any more money I guess.

[biabouman41]

08:06 AM on 09/28/2009

This is clear. The US will have to accept resposibility for both brotbers. No country will accept the brother with mental problems and we cannot just keep them in prison.

The administration will get criticised, but that is the Republican way: they create the problem and snipe at the solution.

[Mike Sprinkel]

07:44 AM on 09/28/2009

There you have it. It must not be that bad in "Club Gitmo!"

[Irockcollinwood]

06:53 AM on 09/28/2009

just horrible. We do not fight for freedom, freedom for ourselves or for others. I'm very ashamed of my country.