MIAMI –Joint Task Force - Guantanamo announced that a Saudi Arabian detainee died of an apparent suicide early this afternoon.

The detainee was found unresponsive and not breathing in his cell by guards. The detainee was pronounced dead by a physician after all lifesaving measures had been exhausted.

The remains of the deceased detainee are being treated with the utmost respect. A cultural advisor is assisting the Joint Task Force to ensure that the remains are handled in a culturally sensitive and religiously appropriate manner.

The Naval Criminal Investigative Service has initiated an investigation of the incident to determine the circumstances surrounding the death.

Additional information will be provided as details become available.

The mission of detention and interrogation at Guantanamo continues. This mission is vital to the security of our nation and our allies and is being carried out professionally and humanely by the men and women of Joint Task Force Guantanamo.