Apparent Suicide at Guantanamo

NEWS RELEASE: Detainee death at Guantanamo Bay

Posted On: May 18 2011 7:07PM

By U.S. Southern Command Public Affairs MIAMI ( May 18, 2011) - Joint Task Force-Guantanamo announced today that an Afghan detainee died of an apparent suicide early this morning. The detainee is identified as Inayatullah, a 37-year-old Afghan.  Inayatullah arrived at Guantanamo in September 2007. While conducting routine checks, the guards found the detainee unresponsive and not breathing.  The guards immediately initiated CPR and also summoned medical personnel to the scene.  After extensive lifesaving measures had been exhausted, the detainee was pronounced dead by a physician. The remains of the deceased detainee are being treated with respect for Islamic culture and traditions. A cultural advisor is assisting the Joint Task Force Guantanamo to ensure that the remains are handled in a culturally sensitive and religiously appropriate manner.  The remains will be autopsied by a pathologist from the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology.  Upon completion of the autopsy, the remains will be prepared for repatriation. As a matter of Department of Defense policy, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service has initiated an investigation of the incident to determine the cause and manner surrounding the death. Inayatullah was an admitted planner for al Qaida terrorist operations, and attested to facilitating the movement of foreign fighters, significantly contributing to transnational terrorism across multiple borders.  Inayatullah met with local operatives, developed travel routes and coordinated documentation, accommodation and vehicles for smuggling al Qaida belligerents through Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan and Iraq. Joint Task Force Guantanamo continues to provide safe, humane, legal and transparent care and custody of detainees.  This mission is being performed professionally and humanely by the men and women of Joint Task Force Guantanamo.