The Reunion

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The Reunion: Abu Ghraib

Abu Ghraib

BBC Radio 4 - The Reunion, Abu Ghraib

Kirsty Wark's guests reflect on the abuse of prisoners at Abu Ghraib in Iraq in 2003.

Kirsty Wark's guests reflect on the scandal over the abuse of prisoners at Abu Ghraib in Iraq in 2003.

In April 2004 it emerged that US military personnel at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq, were using so called “enhanced interrogation techniques” on prisoners.  A series of lurid photographs appeared featuring detainees on leashes, manacled, piled on top of each other, hooded and wired to electrodes.

The actions were condemned as human rights violations and war crimes against detainees, including physical abuse, sexual humiliation, physical and psychological torture and rape.

President George W Bush, and Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld apologised for the actions of American military at the prison, and a total of eleven soldiers were court-martialled and dishonourably discharged from service.

In this episode, Kirsty is joined by:
Sam Provance, the former U.S. Army military intelligence sergeant who blew the whistle on Abu Ghraib.
Former Brigadier General Janis Karpinski, who was in command of the prison at the time.
Haj Ali Abbas who was hooded and electrocuted, and is believed to be the famous “hooded figure” in the images that emerged.
Lawyer Katherine Gallagher, who represents several other former detainees.

Producer: Artemis Irvine
Series Producer: David Prest
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