Switzerland to take in Guantanamo detainee

The Swiss canton of Geneva will accept the Uzbek, who was classified by the United States as "cleared for release" in 2005, the Swiss government said on Wednesday.

The Uzbek will get status as an immigrant and can take on a job, Justice Minister Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf told a news conference, adding Switzerland could house further prisoners.

"In the past, the Federal Council has criticized the detention of persons at Guantanamo as in violation of international law," the government said in a statement.

"With its decision today, it aims to play its part in solving the Guantanamo problem, thereby upholding Switzerland's humanitarian tradition," it said.