U.S. President Barack Obama instructed Defense Minister and Prosecutor General to move Guantanamo Bay detainees to an Illinois prison, about 150 miles west of Chicago, foreign press reports. Prison that houses 1600 people was constructed in 2001 and funded by Illinois state budget.

The initiative is part of Obama's pledge to close the Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. U.S. holds 210 prisoners at Guantanamo and has released or transferred to other governments more than 555 others.

However, Obama’s initiative was criticized by Republicans and labeled a risky move.

A.G.