U.S. Sends Home Six More Guantanamo Detainees

(CN) - The U.S. military released six more Guantanamo detainees on Saturday, leaving 245 prisoners at the military prison that President-elect Barack Obama has said he intends to shut down in his first week in office.

Four prisoners were sent home to Iraq, one to Afghanistan and one to Algeria, Pentagon spokesman Navy Cmdr. J.D. Gordon said.

Since 2002, when the government began sending suspected terrorists to Guantanamo, 525 detainees have been released. Five died in custody: four by suicidal hanging and one of cancer.

Obama, who takes office Tuesday, has said he would sign an executive order closing the military prison in the first week of his presidency.

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