After September 11, 2001, U.S. officials authorized the cruel treatment and torture of prisoners held in Afghanistan, Iraq, Guantanamo, and the CIA's secret prisons overseas.

This database documents the U.S. government's official experiment with torture. At present, the database contains well over 100,000 pages of government documents obtained primarily through Freedom of Information Act litigation and requests filed by the ACLU, and through litigation of Salim v. Mitchell, a lawsuit brought by the ACLU on behalf of the survivors and the family of a dead victim of the CIA torture program. To learn more about the database, please read the About and Search Help pages. If you're a developer, you can also access this data through our API.

Search Result (6709)

RelevanceDateRelease Date
Report of investigation into accusations of cruelty and maltreatment of an 18-year-old Iraqi civilian during an interrogation at an unknown detention facility in Baghdad, Iraq. The report was unable to make any conclusions about the truth of the ...
Nov. 08, 2004
Investigative File (CID)
Physical assault, General, Environmental manipulation, Hooding/Goggling
Report of investigation into the cause of death of Abbas Alwan Fadil, a detainee at Abu Ghraib prison, Iraq. The autopsy and investigative report determined that the death was due to natural causes.
Nov. 08, 2004
Investigative File (CID)
John Peterson, Jacqueline J. Scott
Abbas Alwan Fadil

A report of an investigation into the cruelty, maltreatment, and aggravated assault of 44 Enemy Prisoners of War by ten U.S. soldiers (320th Military Police Battalion) who were escorting the prisoners to Camp Bucca, Um Qasr, Iraq. The ...

An investigation into the death of Basim Mohammed Hussein (ISN 11672), a detainee who died on July 12, 2003 at Camp Cropper, Baghdad, Iraq.  The cause of death was determined to be from internal bleeding in the lungs due to cavitary ...

Nov. 08, 2004
Investigative File (CID), Photograph
John Peterson, Jacqueline J. Scott
Basim Mohammed Hussein
Report of investigation into the maltreatment of a prisoner at Ad Diwaniyah Military Correction Facility, Iraq. Soldier was shown a picture of a naked female Iraqi prisoner on the computer while in Iraq. Investigation found insufficient ...
Nov. 08, 2004
Investigative File (CID)
Nelson van Eck, Jacqueline J. Scott, Thom Jones, Robert De Ocampo
Nudity
Report of investigation into the abuse and mock execution of Iraqi civilians by a U.S. soldier on two separate occasions. Investigation established that the soldier committed the offenses of assault, conspiracy, release of a detainee without ...
Nov. 08, 2004
Investigative File (CID), Photograph
Jacqueline J. Scott
Threat, Assault/death

An investigation into a detainee's complaint that $6,200 had been taken from him at a military checkpoint in Baghdad, Iraq.  The report states that investigators were unable to interview, resulting in an incomplete investigation.

An investigation into the death of Hussein Abdullah Awad Al-Juwadi (ISN 159756). On 11 May 2004 he reportedly abruptly collapsed and became unconscious. Resuscitation was initiated and continued during: transport to the facility hospital ...

Nov. 08, 2004
Investigative File (CID)
Jacqueline J. Scott, John Peterson
Hussein Abdullah Awad Al-Juwadi
Emails relating to an investigation into allegations of abuse of two Ukranian individuals detained in Abu Ghraib. The detainees were caught attempting to illegally smuggle oil and were sentenced to ten years in jail by the Iraqi court system ...
Nov. 08, 2004
Email
Jacqueline J. Scott
Physical assault, Other
An investigation into the shooting death of two detainees, including Naif Sliman Amir, during a riot at Abu Ghraib prison, in Iraq. The investigation concluded that the shooting of both detainees was justifiable and that the soldiers involved had ...
Nov. 08, 2004
Investigative File (CID)
John Peterson, Jacqueline J. Scott
Naif Sliman Amir
Physical assault, General

An investigation into the death on August 22, 2003 of Mohamed Tariq Zaid, a detainee at Armor Battalion Detention Facility, Baghdad, Iraq. The investigation states that Mr. Zaid was discovered lying on the ground with shallow respirations and ...

Nov. 08, 2004
Investigative File (CID)
John Peterson, Jacqueline J. Scott
Zaid Muhammed Tariq, Hamza Hassad Tawfeek Najm Byaty, Abed Mohammed Najem, Dahm Spah, Taleb Ehad Kazen

An investigation into the death of, Mohamad Abu Abbas (ISN US 91Z-20039C1), a detainee at Camp Cropper, Baghdad, Iraq. An agent's investigation report states that Mr. Abbas complained of chest pain, and was eventually taken to a medical ...

Nov. 08, 2004
Investigative File (CID), Photograph
John Peterson, Thom Jones, Belinda Knight, Jacqueline J. Scott
Mohamad Abu Abbas
Investigation into the November 24, 2003 shooting deaths of 4 detainees at Abu Ghraib prison, Iraq. Detainees participated in an organized, violent uprising within the prison. The investigation concluded that the deaths resulted from ...
Nov. 08, 2004
Investigative File (CID), Photograph
Jacqueline J. Scott, John Peterson
Jussayn Ali Salman, Raed Shaalan, Madoor Hussein Sayar, Dawood Mazin Thawin
Investigation into validity of statements by a soldier claiming to have been involved in the abuse and murder of Iraqi detainees on January 18, 2004, while he worked in the Intensive Care Ward, Camp Anaconda, Balad, Iraq. An Investigation ...
Nov. 08, 2004
Investigative File (CID)
John Peterson

CID Report detailing the death of a detainee at Abu Ghraib, Baghdad, Iraq on January 14, 2004. The investigation determined that the death was by natural causes and includes the autopsy report.

Nov. 08, 2004
Investigative File (CID)
John Peterson, Jacqueline J. Scott
Baker Yassen Rashed Mahmed Al Hussen

CID Investigative report into the death of Abdullah Saad Mohammed on February 19, 2004 during his detention at Abu Ghraib prison, Baghdad, Iraq. An autopsy was conducted an it was determined that the detainee died of natural causes.

Nov. 08, 2004
Investigative File (CID)
John Peterson, Jacqueline J. Scott
Saad Mohammed Abdullah

Report of investigation into the death of an Iraqi detainee at Camp Cropper, Iraq. The investigation determined that the detainee had been found unresponsive after collapsing in the compound. The investigation failed to prove the cause or ...

Nov. 08, 2004
Investigative File (CID)
Jassim Al-Obodi

Report of investigation into allegations of detainee abuse in Baghdad, Iraq. The investigation followed the report of a soldier striking a detainee during a warehouse search. The report concluded that the soldier acted appropriately when ...

CID report of investigation and accompanying documents into the death of a detainee at Abu Ghraib prison, Iraq. The cause of death was determined to be natural.

Nov. 08, 2004
Investigative File (CID)
John Peterson, Jacqueline J. Scott
Wathik Salah Mihdy

CID report of investigation and accompanying documents into the alleged theft of money from an Iraqi civilian by a U.S. soldier during a search of the Iraqi’s vehicle at a check point in Baghdad, Iraq. Investigation determined there was ...

Nov. 08, 2004
Investigative File (CID)
Jacqueline J. Scott
CID Report and accompanying documents related to an investigation into allegation of abuse of a detainee in Peshawar, Pakistan and Kandahar, Afghanistan. The detainee claimed that he was beaten on his hands, feet, and chest while detained. The ...
Oct. 15, 2004
Investigative File (CID)
Physical assault

CID investigative report and accompanying documents into an incident of rioting during which detainees were shot and killed by Marines at Abu Ghraib prison, Iraq. The investigation concluded that the detainees had been attempting to escape. ...

Nov. 08, 2004
Investigative File (CID), Photograph
Khalid Abbas Mahmood, Musa Abbas Farhan, Abbas Khalid Hamed, Khaled Aposs
CID report and accompanying documents related to an investigation into the mistreatment of a female Iraqi prisoner at Abu Ghraib prison on October 7, 2003. The female prisoner stated that she was taken out of her cell and brought to an empty cell ...
Oct. 15, 2004
Investigative File (CID)
Physical assault, Sexual, General, Nudity, Other Humiliation, Sexual
CID report and accompanying documents related to an investigation of abuse. The investigation followed a report by a U.S. Army Medic at Bagram Detention Facility that Persons Under Control (PUC) numbers 327, 328 and 330 may have been previously ...
Oct. 15, 2004
Investigative File (CID)
Physical assault
Report of investigation in the death of a detainee at Abu Ghraib. The investigation concluded that the death was due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease and the manner of death was natural. The report includes a photo packet and close-up ...
Oct. 15, 2004
Investigative File (CID), Photograph
Taleb Ehad Kazen
Report of investigation and accompanying documents into the death of Najem Abed Mohamed (ISN 13020). Detainee died in custody on August 8, 2003 at Baghdad Central Confinement Facility. The investigation concluded that the manner of death was ...
Oct. 15, 2004
Investigative File (CID)
Abed Mohammed Najem
Investigation into a soldier accused of robbery and malingering after he stole 180,000 Iraqi Dinar from two homes during a patrol search and then shot himself in the foot after being informed that he would be recommended for disciplinary action ...
Documents related to an investigation into the death of a detainee in custody at Abu Ghraib prison. The detainee had been on a hunger strike for eight days prior to his death. The report concluded that the death was due to natural causes.
Oct. 15, 2004
Investigative File (CID)
Dahm Spah
Detainee alleged that he was arrested by U.S. forces and placed in a hole in the ground with other detainees at an unknown location in Samara, Iraq for about three days, then threatened with death and taken to a room where he was placed on a box ...
Dec. 30, 2004
Investigative File (CID)
John Peterson, Jacqueline J. Scott
Use of water, Other, Physical assault, General, Threat, Assault/death, Use of phobias, Nudity, Other Humiliation, Forced grooming, Other

An investigation into an allegation that, on December 31, 2003, a soldier threatened a detainee with a gun, fired the gun on the ground next to the detainee, and "butt-stroked" the detainee. The investigation "established ...

Oct. 15, 2004
Investigative File (CID)
Physical assault, General, Threat, Assault/death
Report of investigation into the abuse and mock execution of Iraqi civilians by a U.S. soldier on two separate occasions. Investigation established that the soldier committed the offenses of assault, conspiracy, release of a detainee without ...
Oct. 15, 2004
Investigative File (CID), Photograph, Interview (Statement)
Threat, Assault/death

An investigation into a detainee's allegation that he was "tortured" at a U.S. facility in Mosul in March 2004. Detainee indicated that after being arrested but before arriving at the facility, his captors -- American men in civilian ...

Investigation initiated on the basis of a report by a serviceman's wife that he had a photograph of himself pointing a gun at the head of a bound and hooded detainee. When interviewed, the soldier explained that he was following orders and ...

A review of an Military Police (MP) investigation revealed that nine (9) members of Howitzer Battery, 2/3 Armored Cavalry Regiment that may have been involved in a criminal conspiracy to rob Iraqi citizens of currency during Traffic Control ...

Dec. 30, 2004
Investigative File (CID)
Jacqueline J. Scott

Investigation into report by the senior Counterintelligence Technician, 1st Brigade Combat Team, enclosing sworn statements of two detainees concerning abuse by members of the 2nd Squadron, 5th Cavalry. The detainees' sworn statements are not ...

Dec. 30, 2004
Investigative File (CID)
Jacqueline J. Scott
Physical assault, General, Threat, Assault/death

CID Headquarters requested that CID in Iraq initiate an investigation based on a May 11, 2004 Los Angeles Times article by Tracy Wilkinson indicating that one female detainee was raped and another was forced to disrobe in front of male guards. ...

Dec. 30, 2004
Investigative File (CID)
Jacqueline J. Scott
Noor Abdul Kareem
Physical assault, Sexual, Nudity, Other Humiliation, Sexual

Juvenile detainee in Camp Bucca, Iraq stated that a guard from the 320th Military Police (MP) Battalion had twisted his arm while removing a piece of fruit from his hand. (The guard had accused him of stealing the fruit.) The detainee's elbow ...

Dec. 30, 2004
Investigative File (CID)
Physical assault, General

Detainee alleged that he was captured in mid-April, 2004 at his house in Ammaria (Al Amiryah), Iraq, held at a U.S. facility in Ammaria, then transferred to Baghdad Airport and, finally, Abu Ghraib. The detainee alleged that, at Ammaria, two ...

Dec. 30, 2004
Investigative File (CID)
Jacqueline J. Scott, John Peterson
Physical assault, General, Threat, Assault/death, Other Humiliation

Investigation found probable cause to believe that the commander and three other members of Operational Detachment-Alpha 343, 3rd Special Forces Group, had committed the offenses of murder and conspiracy when they lured Mohamed Sayari, an ...

Dec. 30, 2004
Investigative File (CID), Photograph
Jacqueline J. Scott, Thom Jones
Mohammed Sayari

Investigation established probable cause to believe that a soldier from C Co., 2/8th Inf. Bn., 4ID stole money from an Iraqi civilian at a checkpoint, and threatened the civilian with his rifle when he refused to leave without his money. The ...

Dec. 30, 2004
Investigative File (CID)
Jacqueline J. Scott
Threat, Assault/death

Iraqi civilian reported that an NCO from the 1/325th Infantry Battalion stole $2,650 from the trunk of his car after stopping him at a checkpoint on June 4, 2003. The soldier denied the allegation. The investigation did not develop any ...

Dec. 30, 2004
Investigative File (CID)
Jacqueline J. Scott, Thom Jones
Other

On November 14, 2003, a soldier provided a sworn statement saying that while he was deployed to Iraq, he "saw what I think were war crimes.... In my mind, my chain of command did nothing to stop these war crimes, and allowed them to ...

Dec. 30, 2004
Investigative File (CID), Photograph
Physical assault, General, Stress positions, Dietary manipulation, Environmental manipulation, Hooding/Goggling, Other

A CID report concerning a detainee's allegation that a U.S. soldier repeatedly punched him in the stomach and that Kurds kicked him in the legs during interrogation in custody at the Baghdad International Airport. The detainee also stated that ...

Dec. 30, 2004
Investigative File (CID)
John Peterson, Jacqueline J. Scott
Physical assault, General, Environmental manipulation, Hooding/Goggling

Investigation into abuse allegations by two detainees. One detainee stated that he was arrested by U.S. forces on 4/23/04, and then taken to a house near Adhamiya Palace where he was held for 15-16 days, punched in the face and ribs until he ...

Dec. 30, 2004
Investigative File (CID)
Jacqueline J. Scott, John Peterson
Physical assault, Sexual, General, Use of electricity, Dietary manipulation, Other Humiliation, Sexual
Two NCOs and two enlisted men from B Company, 1/36th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Division severely assaulted several detained youths while the detainees' heads were covered with sandbags and their hands restrained with flexi-cuffs. The ...

Investigation into the death of Hamza Hassad Tawfeek Najm Byaty. Mr. Byaty had been detained at Baghdad International Airport and was being transported in a bus when he became short of breath, hypotensive, and tachycardic. An IV briefly ...

Dec. 30, 2004
Investigative File (CID)
John Peterson
Hamza Hassad Tawfeek Najm Byaty, Zaid Muhammed Tariq, Taleb Ehad Kazen, Abed Mohammed Najem, Dahm Spah
CID Investigation in to allegations that a Non-Commissioned Officer and soldier from 19th Quartermaster( QM) Company, 240th QM Battalion, pushed an Iraqi civilian into the back of their truck, to an isolated area, robbed him of his watch and ...
Dec. 30, 2004
Investigative File (CID), Photograph
Jacqueline J. Scott, Thom Jones, Nelson van Eck
Physical assault, General

On 1/18/04, a detainee gave a statement about abuse he had suffered at Abu Ghraib and also stated that he had witnessed a translator forcibly sodomizing a male juvenile detainee while a female U.S. soldier observed and took pictures. (This ...

Approximately 73-year-old Iraqi woman reported that she had been subjected to assault and sexual abuse, including being sodomized with a stick and touched in private areas; that she was forced to "swim" in water thrown on ...

A Lieutenant Colonel admitted to issuing a death threat and firing his pistol next to the head of a detainee suspected of being part of a plot to assassinate U.S. troops, including the Lt. Col. This was supposedly done during an interrogation. ...
Dec. 30, 2004
Investigative File (CID), Photograph
Physical assault, General, Threat, Assault/death