ALEXANDRIA, VA– A jury is awarding $42-million to three Iraqis who suffered electric shocks, beatings and other abuse at the infamous Abu Ghraib prison.
The prison, operated by the U.S. military after the 2003 invasion of Iraq, was thrust into the spotlight after revelations of abuse at the hands of American prison handlers. Tuesday’s judgment was against defense contractor CACI Premier Technology, which continues to deny involvement in any crimes at the prison and blames the reckless actions of a group of military police. It plans to appeal.
Prosecutors relied on a law from 1789 that allows foreigners to seek justice in U.S. courts and was once used to prosecute pirates who kidnapped French ambassadors.
