 As the United States winds down its military role in Iraq , on Friday it turned over its last detainee in the country to Iraqi authorities, but not without serious concerns.The Obama administration had been trying to convince the Iraqi government for months to allow the extradition of Ali Mussa Daqduq, a suspected Hezbollah operative, to the U.S. for trial. “We have worked this at the highest levels of the U.S. and Iraqi governments, and we continue to discuss with the Iraqis the best way to ensure that he faces justice.”But that wasn’t enough to reassure lawmakers who said they remain concerned the Iraqi government will release Daqduq for political reasons.In a statement, Sens. A statement from Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Lieberman and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) called the move “disgraceful.” 
 
 “Coming on the heels of the Administration's failure to maintain a small American military presence in Iraq to support the fragile peace there, this failure to keep a committed murderer of Americans in U.S. custody sends exactly the wrong message to our allies and enemies in the region,” the statement said. We are continuing to discuss this case with the Iraqis, and as of this morning, he has been transferred to Iraqi custody,” said Tommy Vietor, spokesman for the National Security Council, said in a statement.“We take this case very seriously, and for that reason have sought and received assurances that he will be tried for his crimes,” Vietor said.
– As the US wound down its operations in Iraq this week, it transferred its last remaining detainee over to Iraqi authorities, reports the Los Angeles Times. The move was a controversial one because Ali Musa Daqduq is accused of being a Hezbollah operative behind a 2007 Iraqi raid that resulted in the deaths of five US soldiers. Critics—especially Republicans—wanted him transferred to Gitmo, but Iraqi authorities refused to let him out of the country, explains the Hill. "This failure to keep a committed murderer of Americans in US custody sends exactly the wrong message to our allies and enemies in the region,” said a statement from John McCain, Mitch McConnell, Joe Lieberman, and Lindsey Graham. Their fears that he'll get soft treatment may come true: The AP reports today that he will be prosecuted in Iraq only for the relatively minor charge of using a forged passport to enter the country. However, the US promises to press the case, and it's possible further charges could come.