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Gitmo Suicides Came Before News of Pending Release

HeadlineAug 29, 2008

New information shows at least three Guantanamo Bay prisoners who committed suicide on the same day in June 2006 were unaware they were close to being freed. Family members of Ali Ahmed, Yasser al-Zahrani and Mani al-Utaybi have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against US officials. The families say the military should have allowed attorneys to inform the prisoners of their possible release. According to military officials, the detainees committed suicide by hanging themselves with nooses made of sheets and clothing and died before they could be revived. Attorneys say they don’t think the prisoners would have taken their lives had they been updated on their case.

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