CACI Faces Jury Decision on Abu Ghraib Abuse Accountability
- The civil trial in Alexandria focuses on allegations against CACI for complicity in the abuse of detainees at Abu Ghraib.
- Three former detainees claim that CACI interrogators contributed to their mistreatment by conspiring with military police.
- The trial represents the second attempt to hold CACI accountable, following a mistrial earlier this year.
A jury in Alexandria, Virginia, is poised to deliberate on the potential liability of the military contractor CACI regarding the abuse of detainees at Abu Ghraib prison, which occurred two decades ago. This civil trial follows a previous mistrial due to a hung jury on the same issue earlier this year. The lawsuit was filed by three former detainees who allege that CACI interrogators collaborated with military police to facilitate abuse. Although CACI acknowledges the mistreatment of detainees, they assert that their employees are not liable for the specific acts of abuse alleged by the plaintiffs. CACI maintains that any wrongdoing should be attributed to the Army, claiming it had complete control over the contractor's personnel. U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema has allowed the trial to proceed, despite CACI's attempts to have the case dismissed. Closing arguments are set for Thursday, marking a significant moment in a long legal battle that has lasted over 15 years.