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Abu Ghraib detainee shares emotional testimony during trial against Virginia military contractor

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2 years ago

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Abu Ghraib detainee shares emotional testimony during trial against Virginia military contractor


ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A former detainee at the infamous Abu Ghraib prison described to jurors Monday the type of abuse that revives attention on the scandal that erupted there 20 years ago: beatings, being stripped naked and threatened with dogs, stress positions meant to induce exhaustion and pain.

The testimony from Salah Al-Ejaili, a former Al-Jazeera journalist who spent more than a month at Abu Ghraib in 2003, marks the first time that survivors of the U.S. prison in Iraq have been able to bring their claims of torture to a U.S. jury.

Al-Ejaili and two other Abu Ghraib detainees are suing Virginia-based military contractor CACI, accusing the company of contributing to their torture by sending over civilian interrogators as part of an Army contract. The suit cites evidence in government investigations that CACI contractors encouraged military police to “soften up” detainees ahead of their interrogations.

CACI’s lawyer, John O’Connor, acknowledged that some Abu Ghraib detainees suffered horrific abuse, but offered a three-pronged defense for the company in his opening statement to the jury.

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First, he questioned whether the three detainees who filed the lawsuit can actually prove they themselves were abused. They are not pictured in the most widely circulated photographs that leaked in 2004 when news of the abuse broke and shocked the world. He told the jury that official records show no formal interrogations of Al-Ejaili, for instance, even though he testified that he was interrogated many times, and frequently beaten at the outset of each interrogation.

The jury received a written declaration from the U.S. government confirming that no formal interrogation records exist, but that declaration also vaguely said that “other information” exists that might show a CACI interrogator questioned Al-Ejaili at one point.

CACI’s lawyer also said that even if the three plaintiffs were abused, there’s no evidence that CACI interrogators inflicted abuse on them. He said the soldiers seen smiling in photos next to naked, abused detainees were the ones who inflicted the abuse, and they were rightly convicted of crimes in military trials long ago.

“They were MPs who were sadistic, who did it on their own, and without any encouragement,” O’Connor said, of the range in military police.

Lastly, he said that even if CACI employees engaged in wrongdoing, it was the U.S. military, not the company, that oversaw the interrogators’ conduct. He rejected the notion that CACI civilians decided on their own to abuse detainees.

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“The Army is pretty jealous about who has control of operations in a war zone,” he argued.

The plaintiffs’ lawyer, Baher Azmy, said it’s irrelevant whether CACI interrogators directly inflicted abuse on his clients. The company is liable, he said, because CACI interrogators conspired with military police by urging them to abuse detainees before questioning.

He said the jury will hear from two Army generals, Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba and Maj. Gen. George Fay, who concluded from an investigation that there was a void in the chain of command that was filled by civilians. Taguba’s report concluded that at least one CACI interrogator should be held accountable for instructing military police to set up conditions that amounted to physical abuse.

“This case is about one of the most disturbing and shameful events in recent American history,” Azmy said at the outset of his opening statement.

The trial at U.S. District Court in Alexandria, which was delayed for more than 15 years amid legal wrangling and multiple appeals, is now moving at a breakneck pace. On Monday alone, a jury was seated, opening arguments were heard, and three key witnesses testified, including Al-Ejaili; a former CACI interrogator, Torin Nelson, who testified about his concerns about the actions of some of his colleagues; and former Army Cpl. Charles Graner, one of the military police who was tried and convicted in courts-martial for abusing detainees.

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Nelson testified that the other interrogators lacked experience, and he was dismayed when he saw unprofessional comments on their reports, like an interrogator who noted in one report that a detainee “is crying like a little baby in the corner.”

On cross-examination, he said that he had not witnessed physical abuse by any CACI interrogator.

“I had concerns but I wasn’t witnessing anything with my own eyes,” Nelson said.

Graner’s testimony came in the form of a recorded 2013 video deposition that was played to the jury in which he said civilian interrogators gave him instructions on how to handle detainees, and told him he was doing a good job.

Al-Ejaili’s testimony was emotional and he choked up several times as he described the abuse. He recalled that he was naked in a cold cell and asked a female soldier if he could have something to wear. She returned with red women’s underwear.

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On another occasion, investigators handcuffed his hands to a pipe while his feet dangled. He told the jury, through an Arabic interpreter, that it felt “as if your shoulders are being pulled from their place.”

He said being able to tell his story now to a jury, even 20 years later, was important to him.

“It’s a big opportunity to tell people my story,” he said. “Perhaps it’s like a form of treatment or a remedy.”



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Virginia Tech fans react to James Franklin hire

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4 hours ago

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November 18, 2025

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Virginia Tech fans react to James Franklin hire


BLACKBURG, Va. (WDBJ) – The James Franklin era at Virginia Tech has begun, and expectations couldn’t be higher.

“VT football is saved. I’m excited,“ a Virginia Tech fan said.

“I mean, I think he’s gonna bring a lot to the future,” said another.

“We are so back! I was afraid it’s gonna be a long four years here. Not anymore. It’s gonna be great.”

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At Penn State, Franklin led the Nittany Lions to 104 wins, a 2016 Big Ten Championship, and a 2024 College Football Playoff semi-finals appearance.

All of those accomplishments are injecting hope into Virginia Tech fans who have only seen one 10 win season since legendary coach Frank Beamer retired after the 2015 season.

“I’m hoping that he just brings everything that he had once before brings us a winning program gets us what we want maybe a natty,” Freshman Colin Hebeo said.

Franklin replaces Brent Pry who was his defensive coordinator at Penn State from 2016 until he left to become the Hokies head coach in 2022.

After starting the season 0-3, Pry was relieved of his duties, now that Franklin is taking over, fans expect him to turn back the clock to when Virginia Tech was a national powerhouse.

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“I want him to bring back what the old Virginia Tech football is like, That’s just straight hype and then like everybody is always got the energy going and we’re winning games make crazy plays, I just want to see that happen again,” Freshman JD Kwitkwoksi said.

Franklin is the most high profile coach the Hokies have had since Frank Beamer, and fans are hoping the big name will bring respect to a team who used to dominate the college world.

“I like it cause it’ll at least make us like not a laughingstock Like we’re not gonna we’re not just gonna go into every game thing. We’re gonna lose like we actually have a chance now,” Freshman Jake Woodworth said.

Franklin will have the backing of the university as the board of visitors approved $229.2 million to the university’s athletic funding over the next four years.

Copyright 2025 WDBJ. All rights reserved.

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After years of vetoes, Virginia poised to launch adult-use cannabis market

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22 hours ago

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November 17, 2025

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After years of vetoes, Virginia poised to launch adult-use cannabis market


After four years of stalled efforts and repeated vetoes from outgoing Gov. Glenn Youngkin, Virginia lawmakers now see a clear path to finally standing up a legal adult-use cannabis market. During her campaign, Democrat Abigail Spanberger, elected governor two weeks ago, pledged to sign legislation establishing a regulated retail system — reversing the impasse that […]



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30 notes to remember from FSU football’s 34-14 victory against Virginia Tech

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2 days ago

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November 16, 2025

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30 notes to remember from FSU football’s 34-14 victory against Virginia Tech


The Florida State Seminoles recorded their second ACC victory of the season in the middle of November. On Saturday night, FSU took down Virginia Tech, 34-14.

The Seminoles outscored the Hokies 24-7 in the second half, overcoming a 7-3 deficit in the second quarter to win by 20 points.

READ MORE: FSU football ends home slate on high note with 34-14 win over Virginia Tech

Here are 30 notes surrounding various data-points from the game.

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Stats To Remember From FSU’s Win Over Virginia Tech

Duce Robinson

Nov 15, 2025; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Duce Robinson (0) catches a pass during the second half against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images / Melina Myers-Imagn Images
  • Florida State won its 600th game in program history Saturday, beating Virginia Tech 34-14 in the home finale at Doak Campbell Stadium. Among schools with 600 all-time wins, FSU (79 seasons) and Appalachian State (96) are the only schools to play fewer than 100 seasons.
  • Head coach Mike Norvell improved to 27-9 in November as a head coach, including a 14-5 mark at home. FSU is now 22-2 under Norvell when allowing fewer than 20 points, with a 5-0 record in 2025. 
  • The Noles improved to 25-13-1 all-time against the Hokies, with a 15-6 mark at Doak. 
  • Wide receiver Duce Robinson led Florida State with 6 catches for 134 yards and a 50-yard touchdown. Robinson’s five 120-yard receiving games are tied for the national lead and are the most for a Seminole in a season since 2014 (Rashad Greene, five). 
  • Robinson’s 947 receiving yards rank 18th in FSU single-season history and are the most for a Nole since 2019. 
  • Robinson’s touchdown was Florida State’s seventh of the season of at least 50 yards.
  • Robinson’s catch was his third of at least 50 yards in 2025, 2nd-most in the ACC behind teammate Micahi Danzy’s four. Robinson leads the ACC with 10 30-yard catches. 
  • Robinson also broke up a pass on Virginia Tech’s hail mary to end the first half. He previously had an interception on a hail mary vs. Penn State while with Southern Cal in 2024. 
  • Florida State has had a 100-yard receiver in five consecutive games, the Noles longest streak since 2013-14 (five games). 
  • Quarterback Tommy Castellanos was 12-for-24 for 189 yards and three total touchdowns – one passing and two rushing. His touchdown pass to Robinson was his eighth pass of 50+ yards, most in the ACC and top-5 nationally. 
  • Castellanos’ eight rushing touchdowns are tied for the team lead and a new FSU’s singleseason record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback (Jordan Travis had seven rushing touchdowns each season from 2020-23). 
  • Castellanos’ three total touchdowns tie his most in a game this season. 
  • Castellanos will enter the NC State game with 6,006 career passing yards. 
  • True freshman Mandrell Desir forced a fumble on a 4-yard sack in the third quarter, the first forced fumble of his career. Linebacker Blake Nichelson fell on the ball, his first career fumble recovery and FSU’s second of the season. 
  • Nichelson added a 3-yard tackle for loss on fourth down in the fourth quarter. 
  • Desir later teamed up with Omar Graham Jr. for a tackle on 4th down, forcing a turnover on downs. Desir finished with three tackles in the game, while Graham had five tackles and now has 102 for his career. 
  • Desir leads FSU with 5.0 sacks and 6.0 tackles for loss in 2025. His 5.0 sacks are the most for an FSU true freshman since current New York Giant Brian Burns had 9.5 in 2016; Desir’s 5.0 sacks are the 2nd-most for an FSU true freshman since 2005. 
  • Safety Ashlynd Barker had five tackles with 1.0 tackles for loss and ranks second on the team with 5.0 TFL for the year. 
  • Tight end Randy Pittman Jr. rushed for a 1-yard touchdown in the third quarter, his third rushing touchdown of the season. Pittman’s three rushing TDs in a season are the most for a tight end in 2025 and most for an ACC tight end since 2019. 
  • Pittman’s touchdown followed Nichelson’s fumble recovery; FSU has scored points after 11 of 14 takeaways in 2025, with eight touchdowns. 
  • Senior cornerback Jerry Wilson’s interception on Virginia Tech’s third play was his 3rd of the season and 8th of his career. 
  • Wilson’s interception was FSU’s 11th interception of the season and was FSU’s first takeaway on an opening drive since an interception vs. Boston College in 2022. 
  • Wilson added a 5-yard tackle for loss on 3rd-and-2 on the Hokies’ next drive, his first of the season. Wilson’s TFL forced a Virginia Tech field goal try from 54 yards that was missed short.
  • Earl Little Jr. had six tackles and one pass breakup, the second PBU of his career. 
  • Redshirt senior Stefon Thompson forced a fumble, the fifth of his career and his first since 2023.
  • Jaylin Lucas returned consecutive kickoffs for 37 and 39 yards in the second half, FSU’s two longest kickoff returns of the year and Lucas’ longest as a Seminole. Offensively, Lucas added 13 yards on two catches and 10 yards on two runs. 
  • Kicker Jake Weinberg connected on two field goals to tie a career high. He was 4-for-4 on point-after tries, extending FSU’s streak to 159 straight made PAT. 
  • Florida State did not punt, the Noles third game without a punt in 2025. Entering the season, FSU did not punt in only four games in school history. 
  • The three games without a punt are the most in the country this year and match the most in a season since 2007. 
  • In a pregame ceremony, Florida State recognized 18 seniors: LS Mason Arnold, WR Gavin Blackwell, DB Shyheim Brown, QB Tommy Castellanos, TE Markeston Douglas, OL Gunnar Hansen, LB Elijah Herring, RB Caziah Holmes, DL Darrell Jackson Jr, DL Jaden Jones, OL Richie Leonard IV, OL Adrian Medley, OL Luke Petitbon, OL Micah Pettus, LB Stefon Thompson, WR Squirrel White, RB Roydell Williams and DB Jerry Wilson.

READ MORE: Mike Norvell sickened by FSU football’s loss to Clemson: ‘that comes down to all of us’

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