A military contractor accused of contributing to the abuse of detainees at Iraq’s Abu Ghraib prison two decades ago is facing a retrial in a federal courtroom after a civil case earlier this year ended with a hung jury. The lawsuit against Reston, Virginia-based CACI began with jury selection and opening statements. Three former detainees at Abu Ghraib sued CACI in 2008, alleging that civilian interrogators at the prison conspired with soldiers to abuse detainees for questioning purposes.
CACI has consistently denied any wrongdoing, stating that its employees had minimal interaction with the plaintiffs and that any liability for mistreatment falls on the government, as the interrogators were under military command. The case went to trial after 15 years of legal proceedings and multiple appeals, marking the first time a U.S. jury heard claims from Abu Ghraib survivors since the scandal broke during the U.S. occupation of Iraq.
However, the previous trial ended in a mistrial after the jury could not agree on CACI's liability. The jury struggled with the legal principle of the 'borrowed servants' doctrine, which CACI used as a defense, arguing it should not be held accountable for its employees' actions under military control.
As the retrial commenced, both sides debated the level of control CACI had over its personnel at Abu Ghraib. CACI's attorney emphasized the Army's authority over interrogators, while the plaintiffs' lawyer pointed to the company's responsibility for supervising its employees.
The trial is expected to last into the following week, with all three plaintiffs providing testimony about their experiences at the prison. While not depicted in the infamous Abu Ghraib photos, the plaintiffs allege enduring similar mistreatment, including beatings and forced nudity. CACI's lawyer acknowledged the abuse but questioned the plaintiffs' credibility, noting discrepancies in their current allegations compared to two decades ago.
Additionally, the jury will hear from retired Army General Antonio Taguba, who investigated the Abu Ghraib scandal. The trial will continue to delve into the complex issues surrounding the alleged abuse at the prison, shedding light on the enduring legal battle over accountability for the events that transpired at Abu Ghraib.
