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 (312)

RelevanceDateRelease Date
CID | ACLU-RDI 2485
This DOD Memo provides a summary on CID investigations of detainee abuse and/or death in Iraq and Afghanistan. It lists forty-one (41) instances of death and abuse and the status of the investigations as well as any information relevant to the ...
May 15, 2004 | DOA | ACLU-RDI 2491

Appointment of Brigadier General Richard P. Formica as an investigating officer to "conduct an informal investigation into allegations of detainee abuse occurring while detainees were under the control of [redacted] and were detained at ...

June 30, 2006
Non-legal Memo
Ricardo Sanchez
Richard P. Formica
Ricardo Sanchez, Richard P. Formica, John P. Abizaid
Nov. 08, 2004 | DOA | ACLU-RDI 2492
This document is part of an AR 15-6 investigative file with a chronology of the progress and steps taken to investigate abuses at the Abu Ghraib detention Facility.
June 30, 2006
Non-legal Memo, Investigative File (AR 15-6)
Richard P. Formica
Aug. 05, 2004 | DOA | ACLU-RDI 2493
Memo from Major General Fay to Lieutenant General Sanchez stating that during the course of interviews on Abu Ghraib, five (5) detainees "reported possible abuse they believe occurred at other locations." Three (3) witnesses also "stated that ...
June 30, 2006
Non-legal Memo
George Fay
Ricardo Sanchez
George R. Fay, Ricardo Sanchez
Physical assault, Sexual, General
Apr. 06, 2004 | DOA | ACLU-RDI 2497
Memo from BG Formica to LTG Ricardo S. Sanchez, requesting an extension until the end of June 2004 for BG Formica's "informal investigation into abuse." Attached letter provides LTG Sanchez's approval for the extension. Also includes a subsequent ...
June 30, 2006
Non-legal Memo
Richard P. Formica
Ricardo Sanchez
Ricardo Sanchez, Richard P. Formica, Thomas F. Metz
Aug. 24, 2003 | DOA | ACLU-RDI 2503
Fragmentary Order 749 (FRAGO 749) relating to detainees, which "consolidates prior orders and guidance." Document is substantially redacted. States, "Capturing units will not detain persons unless there is a reasonable belief that the person is ...
DOA | ACLU-RDI 2504
Gives instructions on detainee reports. Requires that all detainees in coalition custody be tracked.
May 04, 2006 | DOA | ACLU-RDI 2505
Fragmentary Order (FRAGO) regarding detainee operations, approved for release by Colonel Pricone. Gives brief instructions on detention procedures, including stating that "capturing units will not detain persons for greater than 72 hours unless ...
June 30, 2006
Non-legal Memo
Robert Pricone
Robert Pricone
May 30, 2004 | DOA | ACLU-RDI 2510
Timeline of interrogation policy as of 05/30/2004. Covers from 09/14/2003 to 05/21/2004. Details communication between individuals (inc. Sanchez) and policy updates regarding interrogation techniques. Explains why it was that CJTF-7 was using ...
June 30, 2006
Non-legal Memo
Ricardo Sanchez
DOA | ACLU-RDI 2513
Paper refers frequently to a redacted policy name as well as to CJTF-7 policy. "CJTF-7 policy allows detainees to be held beyond 72 hours (up to 14 days) for continued interrogation. No approval required." Approves the use of 21 interrogation ...