Two of the four leaders allegedly behind the al Qaeda plot to blow up a Northwest Airlines Flight 253 passenger jet over Detroit Christmas Day were released by the U.S. from the Guantanamo prison in November, 2007, according to American officials and Department of Defense documents.

Guantanamo prisoner #333, Muhamad Attik al-Harbi, and prisoner #372, Said Ali Shari, were sent to Saudi Arabia on Nov. 9, 2007, according to the Defense Department log of detainees who were released from American custody. Al-Harbi has since changed his name to Muhamad al-Awfi.

SOURCE: Two al Qaeda Leaders Behind Northwest Flight 253 Terror Plot Were Released by U.S.

Administration officials as well as Illinois Sen. Richard Durbin and Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn are expected to make an official announcement at the White House that Guantanamo Bay detainees will be transferred to an underutilized high-security prison in Illinois. GOP Rep. Mark Kirk, who is running for President Obama’s former Senate seat, believes moving Guantanamo detainees to Illinois will put the state at greater threat for terrorist attacks.

Closing Guantanamo is a top priority for Obama, and he signed an executive order hours into his presidency directing that the process of closing the prison begin. Obama has said he wants terrorism suspects transferred to American soil so they can be tried for their suspected crimes.

Prisoners: 100 of the worst of the worst are expected to be transferred to the Thomson Correctional Center in Thomson, Illinois.

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