RIGA — Latvia has agreed to accept an Uzbek citizen currently held at the U.S. detention center at Guantanamo Bay, RFE/RL’s Russian and Uzbek services report.
The U.S. government originally asked Latvia to accept three inmates from Guantanamo, but Riga agreed to provide only one of them with asylum.
The name of the Uzbek citizen was not disclosed, although it was reported that he speaks fluent Russian, is single, has relatives in Uzbekistan, and is prepared to learn the Latvian language.
Latvian Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins told journalists in Riga today that the government will provide the man with refugee status, a monthly allowance, and an apartment. It was reported that the Latvian security service will monitor the new resident.
He was reportedly detained by U.S.-led forces during their antiterrorist operation in Afghanistan in 2001.
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