US authorities transferred the UAE 15 prisoners from Guantanamo

 US authorities have handed over to the Government of the United Arab Emirates 15 prisoners - 12 people in Yemen and three Afghans - from the prison at Guantanamo Bay, according to Reuters. 

This turned out to be the largest transfer in the history of the institution. "According to the executive presidential decree of January 22, 2009, an interagency group conducted a comprehensive review of these cases, taking into account a number of factors, including security issues" - quoted by TASS message Pentagon. The interagency group includes representatives of the Ministry of Defense, Ministry of National Security, Ministry of Justice, Department of State, Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Director of National Intelligence Office. 

"The United States is grateful to the UAE authorities for the manifestation of humanity and willingness to support US efforts, which aim to closing the prison at Guantanamo Bay," - noted in the Pentagon. Special prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba on one of the US bases, was opened in 2001 after the September 11 attacks. In connection with the anti-terrorist operation in Afghanistan began receiving prisoners to militants "Al-Qaeda", supporters of the "Taliban" and other terrorist organizations. Many prisoners alleged that they are subject to such prohibited interrogation methods as sleep deprivation, exposure to extreme temperatures, loud music, waterboarding. 

In 2003, the number of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay has reached 680 people, compared to January 2016 it decreased to 93 persons. US President Barack Obama was in favor of closing the prison because of its cost and inefficiency. When he became head of state, 245 prisoners are held at Guantanamo. After the transfer of 15 prisoners in the UAE in jail was 61 prisoner. Due to the closure of the US prison authorities hope to reduce budget spending, because every year for the maintenance of Guantanamo spent 445 million dollars.