Swiss decision angers China

• Source: Global Times
• [09:06 February 05 2010]
• Comments

"If Switzerland thinks the two detainees are harmless, they really should have sent them back to the US and asked US President Barack Obama, 'Why don't you accept these two innocent people?'" Shen said. "Instead, the Swiss government risked its relations with China and did a big favor to Obama. I think they have picked a side in this case – not China unfortunately."

"Bern didn't even consult with China before making the decision. That is ignorance, not neutrality," Shen added.

In a separate report, Bulgaria's government has decided to grant asylum to an inmate from Guantanamo, a spokesman said Thursday.

He did not specify the nationality, but said the detainee was not facing any charges and was not considered troublesome. Newspaper reports said that the government was likely to take in a Syrian man, together with his wife and six children.

Agencies contributed to this story