Landmark Verdict Against US Contractor CACI Over Abu Ghraib Abuse
A US federal jury has ruled that defense contractor CACI must pay $42 million in damages to three Iraqi men tortured at Abu Ghraib prison in 2004. The decision marks the first time Abu Ghraib abuse survivors have testified in a US court and succeeded in holding a private contractor liable for torture.
What Happened at Abu Ghraib?
Abu Ghraib was a maximum-security prison in Iraq, initially used by former President Saddam Hussein for political prisoners. After the 2003 US invasion, the facility became infamous for the abuse and torture of Iraqi detainees by US personnel. Images of prisoners subjected to electrical shocks, mock executions, and physical abuse surfaced in 2004, sparking worldwide condemnation.
The abuse at Abu Ghraib included beatings, sensory deprivation, and forced nudity. One of the most iconic images depicted a hooded man, Ali Shallal al-Qaysi, standing on a box with wires attached to his body, told he would be electrocuted if he fell.
The Case Against CACI
Virginia-based contractor CACI provided “interrogation services” at Abu Ghraib under a $19 million subcontract with the US government. Four Iraqi plaintiffs, represented by the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR), filed a lawsuit in 2008, accusing CACI personnel of participating in torture. One plaintiff, Taha Yaseen Arraq Rashid, was removed from the case in 2019, as his abuse occurred before CACI’s involvement.
After multiple attempts by CACI to dismiss the case, a Virginia jury awarded $3 million each in compensatory damages and $11 million each in punitive damages to the three plaintiffs: Suhail Al Shimari, Salah Al-Ejaili, and Asa’ad Al-Zubae.
Who Were the Plaintiffs?
The three plaintiffs were civilians detained without charges. Al-Ejaili, an Al Jazeera cameraman, was arrested while covering a US attack and described being hooded, stripped, and humiliated. Al Shimari testified that he endured electrocution, threats with dogs, and other physical abuse over five years of detention. Al-Zubae reported being subjected to extreme temperatures, solitary confinement, and sensory deprivation.
Timeline of the Lawsuit
• 2008: CCR files the lawsuit.
• April 2024: Plaintiffs testify in court for the first time.
• May 2024: A mistrial is declared.
• October 2024: The retrial begins.
• November 12, 2024: The jury finds CACI liable for its role in the torture.
Other Legal Cases Related to Abu Ghraib
The CACI verdict is not the only legal action related to Abu Ghraib. In 2004, a class-action lawsuit was filed on behalf of 256 Iraqi civilians against CACI and other contractors, including L-3 Services (formerly Titan Corporation). A separate 2008 case filed by 72 other torture victims was settled in 2012, though terms were undisclosed.
The CACI verdict represents a landmark moment in accountability for private military contractors involved in human rights abuses during the Iraq War.