A U.S. federal jury has ruled that defense contractor CACI must pay $42 million to three Iraqi men who were tortured at Abu Ghraib prison, concluding a 15-year legal battle.
The jury’s decision, delivered on Tuesday, found CACI, based in Virginia, liable for its role in the acts of torture that occurred at the facility. Plaintiffs Suhail Al Shimari, Salah Al-Ejaili, and Asa’ad Al-Zubae were awarded $3 million each in compensatory damages and $11 million each in punitive damages.
This verdict follows a hung jury in a previous federal trial held in May.
“It’s a big day for justice,” said Al-Ejaili, who attended the trial in person. “This victory isn’t just for the three plaintiffs; it’s a shining light for everyone who has been oppressed and a warning to any company engaged in torture and abuse.”
Al Shimari, a middle school principal, Al-Ejaili, a journalist, and Al-Zuba’e, a fruit vendor, testified about the beatings, sexual abuse, forced nudity, and other cruel treatments they endured at Abu Ghraib. Although they did not claim that CACI’s interrogators directly inflicted the abuse, they argued that the company was complicit in a conspiracy with military police to “soften up” detainees for questioning.
The lawsuit, filed in 2008, faced 15 years of legal delays and numerous attempts by CACI to dismiss the case. Baher Azmy, a lawyer with the Center for Constitutional Rights, called the verdict “an important measure of justice and accountability” and commended the plaintiffs for their perseverance.
The $42 million awarded matches the amount sought by the plaintiffs. “This court ruling sends a strong message that private military and security contractors can be held accountable for breaches of fundamental international law protections, including the prohibition against torture,” said attorney Katherine Gallagher.
CACI had maintained that it was not complicit in the abuse and argued that any liability rested with the U.S. government, citing the “borrowed servants” doctrine, which contends that it should not be liable for actions of its employees directed by the military.
However, the plaintiffs’ lawyers argued that CACI bore responsibility for the conduct of its employees, supported by its contractual obligations with the U.S. Army and regulations in the Army Field Manual.
Despite the verdict, no victims of the Abu Ghraib abuses have received compensation from the U.S. government to date, according to Human Rights Watch. Al Shimari described horrific experiences, including sexual assaults, electric shocks, and being dragged by a rope around his neck. Al-Ejaili recounted being subjected to stress positions, sleep deprivation, and humiliation.
The case represents a significant moment in holding private contractors accountable for their actions, particularly in light of the infamous maltreatment of detainees that sparked global outrage.
Credit: Aljazeera
