SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — An Afghan detainee and alleged member of the Taliban died in custody Sunday at Guantanamo Bay of colorectal cancer, the U.S. military said.
The detainee, identified as Abdul Razzak, 68, had been undergoing chemotherapy treatments since October after being diagnosed following symptoms of abdominal pain in September, the military’s Southern Command said from its Miami headquarters.
Razzak, who was accused of being a Taliban driver and commander of a Taliban cell in Afghanistan, was pronounced dead Sunday.
“The remains of the deceased detainee are being treated with the utmost respect. A cultural adviser and Imam are ensuring that the remains are handled in a culturally and religiously appropriate manner,” the military’s statement said.
“Certainly we regret any loss of life,” Navy Cmdr. Rick Haupt, a Guantanamo spokesman, said in a phone interview. “He received the best care possible.”
A representative from the International Committee of the Red Cross witnessed the care provided to Razzak before and at the time of death, according to the military.
U.S. authorities alleged that Razzak conducted an escort mission for Osama bin Laden and was involved in attempts to assassinate Afghan officials. He denied the accusations.
The U.S. holds roughly 275 men on suspicion of terrorism or links to al-Qaeda or the Taliban at Guantanamo.
