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)

Sworn statement of a soldier who witnessed a Captain hit detainees on two occasions... This document relates to an AR 15-6 investigations in to alleged detainee abuse at Ramadi Palace, Iraq – July 11-12, 2003. This document is part of an ...
Sworn statement of a soldier who witnessed an incident where an Army Captain abused a detainee. The Soldier witnessed the captain kicking a detainee and threatening him with a loaded weapon while yelling at him. This document relates to an AR ...
May 16, 2005
Investigative File (AR 15-6), Interview (Statement)
Physical assault, Threat, Assault/death
Sworn statement of a Medic testifies that treated a Captain's hand injury that appears to have been caused by punching someone or something. This document relates to an AR 15-6 investigations in to alleged detainee abuse at Ramadi Palace, Iraq – ...
Sworn statement of a soldier who witnessed an incident where an Army Captain abused a detainee. The Soldier witnessed the captain kicking a detainee and threatening him with a loaded weapon while yelling at him. This document relates to an AR ...
May 16, 2005
Investigative File (AR 15-6), Interview (Statement)
Physical assault, Threat, Assault/death
Email from Mark W. Libby to Jonathan Crock re: Briefing Request. Remarks: Per Whitaker/Prosper conversation, please prepare a briefing memo for the Secretary's participation in this PC. Please deliver final, fully cleared memo to S/ES-S no later ...
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
Mark W. Libby
Jonathan M. Crock
Jonathan M. Crock, Pierre-Richard Prosper
Autopsy No: AFME 03-349B. Male Iraqi detainee arrested under the suspicion of possession of a pipe bomb on 7/10/03. He was brought to the detention center at Baghdad International Airport Compound on 7/11/03. Detainee had a history of pulmonary ...
This medical report is an incomplete medical record of Basim Mohammed Hussein's diagnosis and treatment while in custody at Camp, Cuervo, Baghdad International Airport. Mr. Hussein died sometime later and the cause of Death was: Hemoptysis ...
Apr. 18, 2005
Medical (Physical (non-death))
Basim Mohammed Hussein
Sworn statements of soldiers concerning the detainee abuse at Ramadi Palace, Iraq – July 11-12, 2003. The soldier giving the statement heard the a Captain threaten to kill several detainees. This document is part of an investigation in to an ...
Sworn statement for investigation an incident where an Army Captain abused a detainee. The Soldier witnessed the Captain yelling at the detainees in a threatening manner, but did not witness the Captain striking the detainees. This document ...
Sworn statement of a soldier who witnessed an incident where an Army Captain abused a detainee. The Soldier states he saw the Captain kicking a detainee and stepping on him with his boot while yelling at the detainee. This document relates to an ...
May 16, 2005
Investigative File (AR 15-6), Interview (Statement)
Physical assault
Sworn statement of a soldier who witnessed an incident where an Army Captain abused a detainee. The Soldier states he saw the Captain kicking a detainee and threatening the detainee with a gun while yelling at him. This document relates to an AR ...
May 16, 2005
Investigative File (AR 15-6), Interview (Statement)
Physical assault, Threat, Assault/death
Sworn statement of a soldier who witnessed an incident where an Army Captain abused a detainee. The Soldier states he saw the Captain kicking a detainee and threatening the detainee while yelling at him. This document relates to an AR 15-6 ...
May 16, 2005
Investigative File (AR 15-6), Interview (Statement)
Physical assault, Threat, Assault/death
Sworn statement of a soldier who witnessed an incident where an Army Captain abused a detainee. The Soldier witnessed the captain kicking a detainee. This document relates to an AR 15-6 investigations in to alleged detainee abuse at Ramadi ...
May 16, 2005
Investigative File (AR 15-6), Interview (Statement)
Physical assault, Face slap or insult slap, Stomach/abdominal slap, Threat, Assault/death
Sworn statement of a soldier who witnessed an incident where an Army Captain abused a detainee. The Soldier witnessed the captain yelling and kicking a detainee. This document relates to an AR 15-6 investigations in to alleged detainee abuse at ...
May 16, 2005
Investigative File (AR 15-6), Interview (Statement)
Physical assault, Face slap or insult slap, General, Threat, Assault/death
Article 32 Proceeding Charge Sheet for charges against Scott McKenzie for his role in abusing detainees at Abu Ghraib prison. The charges are: 1) dereliction of duty; 2) maltreatment of detainees (three counts); 3) aiding and abetting in ...
July 01, 2005
UCMJ (Article 32)
Janis Leigh Karpinski, Scott A. McKenzie
Physical assault, Threat
Article 32 Proceeding Charge Sheet for charges against Scott McKenzie for his role in abusing detainees at Abu Ghraib prison. The charges are: 1) dereliction of duty; 2) maltreatment of detainees (three counts); 3) aiding and abetting in ...
July 01, 2005
UCMJ (Article 32)
Scott A. McKenzie, Janis Leigh Karpinski
Medical records of an Iraqi male, Enemy Prisoner of War (EPW) transferred to hospital for multiple gunshot wounds to chest and torso. The medical records to not give an indication as to how the detainee received his injuries or any personal or ...
Medical records of the treatment of an Iraqi male, Enemy Prisoner of War (EPW) for an amputation of his left leg. The medical records do not give any indication as to how the leg became injured/infected or what detention facility the detainee ...
Medical records of a 35 year-old Iraqi male, Enemy prisoner of War (EPW) with gunshot wounds to right arm, elbow and thigh. The medical records do not give any indication of the circumstances that caused the detainees injuries. The medical report ...
Autopsy report and death certificate of Basim Mohammed Hussein held at Baghdad International Airport, died July 12, 2003 of hemoptysis caused by tuberculosis. Related to ACLU RDI: 71, 995 & 1053. CID#: 0014-03-CID919-63732
This is the Autopsy Report & Death Certificate of Basim Mohammed Hussein, a 26 year old Enemy Prisoner of War (EPW) being held at the Baghdad International Airport (BIAP). It is reported that Mr. Hussein had a long history of pulmonary ...
Jan. 14, 2011
Medical (Autopsy, Death Certificate)
Basim Mohammed Hussein

Investigation establishing that four enlisted men from 1/327th Infantry Regiment had committed burglary, aggravated assault, larceny, and other crimes in connection with the theft of 56,000 Iraqi Dinar from several Iraqi residences at night. ...

Dec. 30, 2004
Investigative File (CID)
Assault/death, Threat
Sworn statement of a soldier who witnessed an incident where an Army Captain abused a detainee. The Soldier states he saw the Captain kicking the detainees and stepping on them with the “a lot of pressure”. This document relates to an AR 15-6 ...
May 16, 2005
Investigative File (AR 15-6), Interview (Statement)
Physical assault
Sworn statement of a soldier who witnessed an incident where an Army Captain abused a detainee. The Soldier states he saw the Captain threatening the detainee with a gun while yelling at him. This document relates to an AR 15-6 investigations in ...
May 16, 2005
Investigative File (AR 15-6), Interview (Statement)
Physical assault, Threat, Assault/death
Heavily redacted memorandum regarding a detainee. The memo mentions the detainee's arrest in Mauritania in 2001 and eventual transfer to Bagram Air Force Base.

NCIS Report of investigation commenced on June 13, 2003 after officer at Camp Pendleton contacted an NCIS Special Agent to make a statement regarding alleged war crimes committed by a marine, who “was overheard bragging about stabbing ...

Nov. 23, 2004
Investigative File (NCIS)
Donald H. Rumsfeld
Physical assault, General
Medical records of a 25 year-old Iraqi male admitted to hospital with an infection to his upper chest, 2nd to stab wound to chest. The medical records do not give any indication as to how the gentleman received his injuries or what detention ...
Medical report of the treatment of a 56 year-old Iraqi man brought in for a gunshot would to his left knee. There is no indication as to how he incurred the injury, but the case notes state that the wound was 3-4 weeks old by the time he came in ...
DOS Fax from Nichole Sobotha to Frank Geoffrey, JoAnn Dolan and Joshua L. Dorosin re: Letter from Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR). ODIHR request for information regarding cases to be tried by the US in front of the ...
Dec. 30, 2004
Letter
Nichole Sobotka
JoAnn J. Dolan | Joshua L. Dorosin | Frank Gaffney
Joshua L. Dorosin, JoAnn J. Dolan, Francis M. Gaffney
Discussion of the President's classification of six detainees as enemy combatants. Discusses the government's treatment of individuals classified as enemy combatants and how they will be tried, if tried.
May 04, 2005
Cable
Ronald W. Miller
Army AR 15-6 investigation in to missing property belonging to Iraqis working as translators. The facts are that several translators working at the Division of Civil Military Operations Center were detained in a raid. They were held for seven (7) ...
This document contains the medical records from numerous detainees during the Summer and Fall of 2003. The records are not separated to distinguish from one patient to another. However, the records cover the medical treatment of numerous Iraqi ...
FRAGO 383A is a fragmentary Order directing soldiers to treat Iraqi civilians and detainees in a professional manner. The order prohibits the maltreatment of civilians or detainees in Iraq, the order defines maltreatment and provides a number of ...
Jan. 02, 2007
Other
Martin E. Dempsey
Physical assault, Face slap or insult slap, General, Other Humiliation
Email states"[redacted] has been, and continues to be involved in ongoing issues concerning Detainee [redacted]. Should you receive any requests for assistance on any matter regarding [redacted]. Please refer the requester to [redacted]. Thanks."
The interviewed detainee discusses traveling/moving to different areas refers in Afghanistan. States that he lied during previous interviews, due to inadequate medical attention and fear. Complains/alleges that he did not receive adequate medical ...
Dec. 15, 2004
Interview
Other
Interview of a detainee at Camp Delta, Guantanamo bay. The detainee complained about treatment he has received for his leg injuries. He does not feel the Americans are giving him proper treatment for his injuries. He stated that he lied while in ...
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
The article is a compilation of observations that the JRTC Intelligence and Fire Support team viewed while in the CENTCOM AOR during operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. The article discusses taking detainees in to custody.
Army Regulation 27-20: Claims
CID report of investigation into the circumstances leading to a detainee entering a vegetative/comatose state. The report states that the detainee was apprehended on July 23, 2003 as a high priority target, and that he was detained in Kirkuk and ...
July 30, 2005
Investigative File (CID)
Sadiq Zoman
Other

Investigation into accusations that U.S. soldiers stole more than $40,000 from an Iraqi citizen. Investigation did not develop sufficient evidence to prove or disprove allegations. Investigation terminated.

Nov. 08, 2004
Investigative File (CID)
Other
This investigative report was generated by the Criminal Investigative Task Force (CITF) Report of Investigative Activity and the interview of the detainee at Camp Delta was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Navy Naval ...
Dec. 21, 2005
Investigative File, Interview (Summaries/Notes)
Environmental manipulation, Light or sound, Temperature
The general scope of the email is the treatment of detainees, enemy prisoners of war (EPWs) and 'illegal combatants.' The author mentioned that he/she did not believe a particular team was following the rules outlined in Army Regulation 190-8. ...
A 27 year-old male Iraqi detainee brought to Army hospital following arrest for theft. The Detainee complained of pain in ribs & shoulder; difficulty breathing; and pain in lower left abdominal. Exam showed a possible broken collar bone, ...
Apr. 18, 2005
Medical (Physical (non-death))
Physical assault, Face slap or insult slap, General
Requests Language Services translate a document which contains the names of 66 pakistani detainees who were released from Sheberghan prison identified as potentially posing a threat.
State Department cable summarizing the deliberations by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) which led to the passing of a resolution calling for improved treatment of prisoners in Afghanistan and Guantanamo. The meeting was ...
Dec. 23, 2004
Cable
Colin L. Powell
Colin L. Powell

A letter praising the Bush administration for its work addressing the problem of torture and welcoming the Bush administration's statement that the United States will neither torture terrorist suspects nor use cruel and unusual treatment to ...

June 01, 2005
Letter
George W. Bush, William J. Haynes, II, Patrick Leahy
Sworn statement of a soldier who witnessed an incident where an Army Lieutenant abused a detainee and threatened them with mock executions. Sworn statements for investigation. Soldiers state that they were informed they could fire warning shots ...
May 16, 2005
Investigative File
Assault/death, Threat
FBI memo describing the Critical Incident Response Group (CIRG) and Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) analysis of a handwritten document prepared by a detainee at Guantanamo. The memo is preceded by redacted handwritten notes.