Taliban Five free to return to terror after travel ban ends next week

Five Taliban leaders will be free to travel the world again next week after serving a one-year travel ban. American leaders fear the men will rejoin their old terror cells after leaving Qatar, where they are being held.

U.S. leaders traded the terrorists last year for Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, a soldier captured by the Taliban after he left his post in Afghanistan. Bergdahl has been charged with desertion. The prisoners were moved to Qatar and detained for the duration of the travel ban. Recent activities have raised suspicion they are working to reconnect with their comrades in the Middle East.

“I know that at least one has had communication with the Taliban,” said Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., head of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Rep. Mike Pompeo, R-Kan., told Fox News the mens’ actions indicate they intend to become active terrorists again.

“I’ve seen nothing that causes me to believe these folks are reformed or [have] changed their ways or intend to re-integrate to society in ways to give me any confidence that they will not return in trying to do harm to America,” he said.

CNN reported in January that two high-ranking members of a Haqqani terror cell paid a visit to the Taliban Five. They were captured trying to leave Afghanistan, and evidence suggests they were meeting with terrorist leaders.

Officials in Qatar have kept watch over the five released detainees throughout their transition detention. But U.S. leaders are concerned about Qatar’s commitment once the travel ban expires.

“My point all along was that I’m more worried about month No. 13 than the first 12. … The big question is what comes next,” said Rep. Adam Schiff, the leading Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.