independent.co.uk
CACI Held Liable for Abu Ghraib Torture
A US jury awarded $42 million to three former Abu Ghraib detainees, holding CACI, a military contractor, responsible for their torture.
English
United Kingdom
JusticeHuman Rights ViolationsUs PoliticsMilitaryLawsuitAccountabilityTorture
CaciUs ArmyCenter For Constitutional Rights
Suhail Al ShimariSalah Al-EjailiAsa’ad Al-ZubaeJohn O'connorSteven Stefanowicz
- What is the significance of the verdict?
- The verdict is considered an important step towards justice and accountability for the Abu Ghraib abuses. The plaintiffs' lawyer praised their resilience in the face of obstacles.
- What was CACI's primary defense in the lawsuit?
- CACI argued it wasn't complicit and that any liability belonged to the government, using the "borrowed servants" doctrine as a defense. They said their employees had minimal interaction with the plaintiffs.
- What was the outcome of the lawsuit against CACI?
- A US jury awarded $42 million to three former Iraqi detainees of Abu Ghraib prison, holding a Virginia-based military contractor, CACI, responsible for contributing to their torture and mistreatment.
- What were some of the challenges faced in bringing this case to trial?
- The lawsuit, filed in 2008, faced 15 years of legal battles and attempts by CACI to dismiss the case. This was the first time a US jury heard claims from Abu Ghraib survivors regarding the abuse.
- How did CACI's interrogators allegedly contribute to the abuse of detainees?
- The jury found CACI complicit because its interrogators conspired with military police to "soften up" detainees, even though they didn't directly inflict the abuse themselves. The plaintiffs alleged beatings, sexual abuse, and forced nudity.