After a 15-year legal struggle, a United States federal jury has ruled that the Virginia-based defence contractor CACI must pay $42 million to three Iraqi survivors of torture at Abu Ghraib prison. The plaintiffs – Suhail Al Shimari, a principal; Salah Al-Ejaili, a journalist; and Asa’ad Al-Zuba’e, a fruit vendor – endured brutal acts, including beatings, forced nudity, and other degrading treatment while CACI employees were present at the facility. Despite the defence’s argument that its employees were under military control and bore no direct liability, the jury found CACI complicit in the abuses, affirming the plaintiffs’ claims and granting each $14 million in damages.
The trial shed light on the involvement of civilian contractors in wartime operations, with plaintiffs contending that CACI interrogators conspired with military police to “soften up” detainees. Testimonies described appalling experiences: Al Shimari recounted sexual assaults and being shocked, while Al-Ejaili spoke of stress positions and sleep deprivation. Supporting reports from retired US Army generals documented these violations and implicated CACI’s personnel. Lawyers underscored that CACI was bound by international norms against torture, with attorney Katherine Gallagher asserting, “Private military and security contractors are put on notice that they can and will be held accountable.”
For the survivors and advocates of human rights, this ruling marks more than financial compensation; it symbolises a rare acknowledgment of civilian contractors’ accountability. As Al-Ejaili expressed after years of delay, “This victory isn’t only for the three plaintiffs… but a shining light for everyone who has been oppressed.” This outcome contributes to a semblance of justice, reaffirming that even in prolonged and complex cases, redress for grave violations of human rights remains possible.
