Germans to run own checks before taking any Guantanamo inmates

May 4, 2009, 10:48 GMT

Berlin - Germany will run its own checks on Guantanamo Bay prisoners who have been proposed for release and resettlement in Europe, German government officials said in Berlin Monday.

They said Washington had identified candidates for release from the camp on the Cuban coast to several European governments, but declined to say how many names were on the list, saying there was an agreement with the United States to keep this confidential.

After high-level debate in Germany about whether to accept any of the released inmates, government departments and the 16 states are to examine the data to establish whether any of the released men pose any threat.

'Germany has to make its own assessment,' foreign ministry spokesman Jens Ploetner told reporters in Berlin.

An interior ministry spokesman added, 'Every decision is concerned with the individual case.'

Asked if Germany might accept someone but limit their movements, the interior spokesman said: 'We live in a free country. If innocent people are given a home here, then they will live here at liberty, and that is the end of the matter.'

Of the prisoners at the US military camp for enemy combatants, reportedly 50, including Uighur militants from China, cannot be sent to their homelands because of the danger they may be tortured.

The German news magazine Der Spiegel reported Saturday up to 10 non-dangerous captives were being considered for release in Europe.

Spiegel said Washington's main official dealing with the Guantanamo issue, Dan Fried, handed over the list in Berlin last week.

Last week US Attorney General Eric Holder said in Berlin that Washington hoped to release 30 Guantanamo inmates soon and was confident that European allies would participate in giving them homes.