Guantanamo suicides identified as condemnation grows

The US Defence Department yesterday identified the three Guantanamo detainees who committed suicide, saying one had ties to al-Qaida, another fought for the Taliban and a third had been cleared for transfer to another country.

Saudi Arabians Mani Shaman Turki al-Habardi Al-Utaybi and Yassar Talal Al-Zahrani – identified earlier by Saudi officials – and Yemeni Ali Abdullah Ahmed were the prisoners who hanged themselves by nooses made from sheets and clothing early on Saturday, the department said in a statement.