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Fragments of 2003 Cable Detail torture in a Secret C.I.A. Prison
Table of Contents
Newly disclosed fragments of a 2003 cable reveal disturbing allegations of torture committed by a CIA interrogator against a prisoner held in a secret facility. The interrogator reportedly used a power drill and a handgun to threaten the detainee, acting without explicit authorization from CIA headquarters.This incident raises serious questions about oversight and accountability within the agency’s detention program.
The details emerged from a heavily redacted cable, initially obtained through Freedom of Information Act requests. The cable describes an incident where an interrogator, whose name remains redacted, allegedly employed increasingly aggressive tactics to extract information. The interrogator’s actions were described as exceeding established protocols,
according to a source familiar with the document.
The Incident Unfolds
The cable fragment details the use of a power drill held near the prisoner, and a handgun brandished as a means of coercion. The interrogator’s actions were not pre-approved by superiors, a clear violation of agency guidelines.
Did You Know?
the CIA’s use of enhanced interrogation techniques, including those considered torture, became a subject of intense scrutiny following the 9/11 attacks.
The specific identity of the prisoner and the location of the secret facility remain classified. However, the cable suggests the individual was considered a high-value detainee. The interrogation occured during a period when the CIA was aggressively pursuing information related to potential terrorist threats.
Timeline of Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2003 | Incident involving power drill and handgun occurs. |
| [redacted] | Cable documenting the incident is generated. |
| [Recent] | cable fragments are disclosed through FOIA requests. |
Agency Response and oversight
The cable does not detail any immediate disciplinary action taken against the interrogator. It does,though,indicate an internal investigation was launched. The extent of that investigation and its ultimate findings remain unclear.
Pro Tip:
Accessing declassified goverment documents through FOIA requests can provide valuable insights into past events.
This incident underscores the challenges of maintaining oversight over covert operations. Critics argue that the lack of openness and accountability within the CIA contributed to abuses during the “war on terror.”
“These revelations are deeply troubling and demand a full accounting of what happened,” stated a representative from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
The disclosure of this cable fragment adds to a growing body of evidence detailing questionable interrogation practices employed by the CIA in the aftermath of 9/11.The agency has faced numerous legal challenges and public criticism over its use of what many consider to be torture.
What further investigations are needed to fully understand the extent of unauthorized actions within the CIA’s detention program? And how can we ensure greater transparency and accountability in future covert operations?
Context and Ongoing Debate
The debate surrounding the CIA’s use of enhanced interrogation techniques continues to this day. Proponents argue that these methods were necessary to obtain critical intelligence and prevent further attacks. Opponents maintain that they were unethical, ineffective, and damaged the United States’ reputation internationally. The 2014 Senate Intelligence Committee report on torture provided a extensive overview of the CIA’s detention and interrogation program, detailing numerous instances of abuse. (Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Report on Torture)
frequently Asked Questions
- What is an enhanced interrogation technique? These are methods of questioning that go beyond standard practices and ofen involve physical or psychological pressure.
- Was the use of a power drill actually carried out? The cable details the *threat* of using a power drill,but does not explicitly confirm its use on the prisoner.
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