Today: 25 July 2025
17 April 2024
3 mins read

New testimony links pvt contractor to Abu Ghraib abuses


Retired general Antonio Taguba informed jurors that contractor Steven Stefanowicz attempted to intimidate him during his investigation of the Abu Ghraib abuses….reports Asian Lite News

An Army general who investigated the abuse of prisoners 20 years ago at Iraq’s infamous Abu Ghraib prison testified Tuesday that a civilian contractor instructed prison guards to “soften up” detainees for interrogations.

The retired general, Antonio Taguba, told jurors that the contractor, Steven Stefanowicz, even tried to intimidate the general as he investigated the Abu Ghraib abuses.

“He would lean on the table staring me down. He did not answer questions directly,” Taguba said. “He was trying to intimidate me.”

Taguba’s testimony was the strongest evidence yet that civilian employees of the Virginia-based military contractor CACI played a role in the abuse of Abu Ghraib inmates.

Three former inmates at the prison are suing CACI in federal court in Alexandria, alleging that the company contributed to the tortuous treatment they suffered. The trial, delayed by more than 15 years of legal wrangling, is the first time that Abu Ghraib inmates have been able to bring a civil case in front of a US jury.

The lawsuit alleges that CACI is liable for the three plaintiffs’ mistreatment because the company provided civilian interrogators to the Army who were assigned to Abu Ghraib and conspired with the military police who were serving as prison guards to torture the inmates.

In a report Taguba completed in 2004, he recommended that Stefanowicz be fired, reprimanded and lose his security clearance for “allowing and/or instructing” military police to engage in illegal and abusive tactics.

“He clearly knew his instructions equated to physical abuse,” Taguba’s report concluded.

In testimony Tuesday, Taguba said he personally questioned Stefanowicz for about an hour as part of his investigation.

“He was a very coy type of personality,” Taguba said of Stefanowicz, often referred to as “Big Steve” by Abu Ghraib personnel.

Taguba said his investigation was focused on military police, and his probe of civilian interrogators’ role was limited. But he felt obligated to delve into it, he said, because he received credible testimony from the military police that the civilians were playing an important role in what occurred.

The MPs told Taguba that they weren’t getting clear instructions from within their own military chain of command, and that Stefanowicz and other civilian personnel ended up filling the void. Taguba said the military chain of command was unclear, and that various commanders were not cooperating with each other, all of which contributed to a chaotic atmosphere at the prison.

Taguba said he was several weeks into his investigation before he even understood that civilians were carrying out interrogations at Abu Ghraib. He said he and his staff heard multiple references to CACI but initially misunderstood them, believing that people were saying “khaki” instead.

On cross-examination, Taguba acknowledged the limits of his investigation. A second report, completed by Maj. Gen. George Fay, looked more directly at the role of military intelligence and civilian contractors at Abu Ghraib.

Taguba also acknowledged that his report contained several errors, including misidentifying a CACI employee as an employee of another contractor, and another civilian contractor as a CACI employee.

CACI’s lawyers emphasized that Stefanowicz was never assigned to interrogate any of the three plaintiffs in the case.

ALSO READ: Trump’s historic trial raises election questions

Previous Story

Myanmar Grants Amnesty to 3,000 Prisoners for New Year

Next Story

UK govt criminalises creation of ‘deepfake’ images

Latest from -Top News

Hamas Reiterates Peace Effort After U.S. Jab

Hamas Reaffirms Commitment to Ceasefire Talks After U.S. Criticism…reports Asian Lite News Hamas on Friday reiterated its commitment to the ongoing ceasefire negotiations, responding to remarks by U.S. Special Envoy to the

Dubai turns malls Into fitness zones

Dubai’s Mallathon reimagines shopping centres as fitness zones, encouraging residents of all ages to walk, run, and connect—fostering healthier habits in air-conditioned comfort….reports Asian Lite News In a bold move to blend

Riyadh welcomes Paris pivot to Palestine

Move stirs global response as Macron breaks G7 ranks; Israel and US condemn recognition bid amid Gaza war…reports Asian Lite News Saudi Arabia has welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron’s pledge to officially

‘UN-OIC unity key to peace push’

Khaled Khiari, particularly highlighted the convergence of UN and OIC efforts in the Middle East, especially in seeking a just, comprehensive resolution to the Palestine question…reports Asian Lite News The United Nations

UAE talks big at global SDG meet

The forum provided a platform for the UAE to highlight its pioneering role in accelerating progress toward the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals..reports Asian Lite News The United Arab Emirates reaffirmed its global
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Biden to make sure Ukraine has weapons  

The President’s remark came after Britain said Russia could be

UAE President Receives US Commerce Secretary

The meeting addressed bilateral relations between the UAE and the