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# DoD: Man Detained in Guantanamo for 13 years over Mistaken Identity
- URL: https://ivn.us/dod-man-detained-guantanamo-13-years-over-mistaken-identity/
- Published: 2015-12-02T21:27:12.000Z
- Updated: 2022-10-19T06:08:45.000Z
- Author: Ben Swann
- Tags: News

Department of Defense officials admitted on Monday that a man who has been held in the United States prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for the last 13 years as a suspected al-Qaeda trainer, was held due to a case of mistaken identity.

Mustafa al-Aziz al-Shamiri, 37, has been held as an indefinite detainee at Gitmo since 2002, despite the fact that he was [never charged](http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/guantanamo-bay-detainee-case-mistaken-identity-dod-n472616?ref=ivn.us) and prosecutors lacked adequate evidence for a trial.

During a panel meeting on Tuesday to evaluate whether al-Shamiri can be released, officials [admitted](http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/dec/01/mistaken-identity-guantanamo-bay-mustafa-al-aziz-al-shamiri?CMP=edit%5F2221&ref=ivn.us) he was actually a low-level Islamist foot soldier from Yemen who was taken into custody because he was confused with someone with a similar name.

In the DoD’s [detainee profile](http://www.prs.mil/ReviewInformation/InitialReview.aspx?ref=ivn.us) on al-Shamiri, referred to as YM-434, it said he *“fought in several jihadist theaters and associated with al-Qaida members in Afghanistan,”* but also said he did not carry out the terrorist acts that were the basis of his detainment.

In a [statement](http://www.prs.mil/Portals/60/Documents/ISN434/20151201%5FU%5FISN434%5FOPENING%5FSTATEMENTS%5FOF%5FDETAINEES%5FREPRESENTATIVES%5FPUBLIC.pdf?ref=ivn.us) from al-Shamiri’s personal representative, he was described as *“cooperative, enthusiastic and supportive,”* and his rep noted that he *“does have remorse for choosing the wrong path early in life.”*

The statement also said al-Shamiri *“wants to make a life for himself,”* and he is *“aware that Yemen is not an option, and he is willing to go to any country that will accept him.”*

President Obama, who has [promised](https://www.rt.com/usa/242129-guantanamo-obama-prison-closure/?ref=ivn.us) to close the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay on numerous occasions, [rejected](https://uk.news.yahoo.com/guantanamo-bay-obama-rejects-relocation-091016717.html?ref=ivn.us) a plan to relocate the prison to U.S. soil, labeling it as too expensive with a price tag of over $600 million, and sent it back for revision.

*Editor's note: This article, written by Rachel Blevins, originally published on Truth in Media on [December 2, 2015](http://truthinmedia.com/man-held-at-guantanamo-for-13-years-case-of-mistaken-identity/?ref=ivn.us), and may have been modified slightly for publication on IVN.*