Abu Zubaydah's 20-year Guantanamo detention is reviewed at hearing as lawyer argues he poses no security threat

From the Newshound archive · first published 19 September 2026.

Abu Zubaydah, held at Guantanamo Bay for two decades without charge, appeared Thursday at a hearing to review whether his detention can still be justified. His attorney, Annika Conrad, told the panel that a chief military prosecutor has said charges are unlikely, and that the most the government can claim is a "probable association" with Osama bin Laden. Zubaydah declined a direct request from bin Laden to join al-Qaida, his legal team says, and has rejected all extremist views.

Conrad is seeking Zubaydah's approval for transfer out of Guantanamo, a process that would then require finding a country willing to accept him.