WASHINGTON — A federal judge has ordered the release of a small group of Chinese Muslims from Guantanamo Bay into the United States.

In a landmark decision, U.S. District Judge Ricardo M. Urbina (ur-BEE’-nuh) said it would be wrong for the Bush administration to continue holding the detainees, known as Uighurs (WEE’gurz), since they are no longer considered enemy combatants.

They have been in custody for almost seven years and have been cleared for release since 2004. Although the Chinese government has demanded custody of the Uighurs, supporters and the Bush administration fear they would be tortured if turned over to Beijing.

On Tuesday, Urbina called the detention unlawful saying the Constitution prohibits indefinite imprisonment without charges.