CIA report reveals horrific torture techniques used against detainee

Afghanistan – Newly released reports reveal that the CIA was using a human being as a prop for trainees to practice horrific torture techniques.

The CIA headquarters are located in Langley, Virginia.
The CIA headquarters are located in Langley, Virginia.  © Collage: IMAGO/ZUMA Wire & agefotostock

According to The Guardian, newly declassified documents from 2008 show that Ammar al-Baluchi was subjected to repeated torture – all to initiate more interrogators into reproducing those same disgusting behaviors.

Among other acts, Baluchi was regularly used to practice "walling," which involved interrogators taking turns to bash his head into a plywood wall, while he was at a "black site" in Afghanistan.

One of the interrogators said the purpose was to "bounce" Baluchi off the wall. He was "naked for the proceedings," which could last up to two hours, the inspector general's report said.

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It is unclear whether anything Baluchi said while in custody is reliable intelligence, as he was likely more concerned with getting the interrogators to stop no matter what. The primary purpose of his torture seems to have been interrogator "certification" rather than securing information.

"Ammar fabricated the information he provided when undergoing EITs," the report said. "He later admitted to his interrogators/debriefers that he was terrified and lied to get agency officers to stop the measures … Ammar also explained that he was afraid to tell a lie and was afraid to tell the truth because he did not know how either would be received."

A 2018 medical report showed Baluchi had signs of "moderate to severe brain damage," likely resulting from a traumatic brain injury.

Baluchi is currently being detained at Guantanamo Bay on suspicion of involvement in the September 11 terrorist attacks. He was the nephew of Khaled Sheikh Mohammed, who claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Now 44 years old, Baluchi has been awaiting trial for more than 10 years. He has not been found guilty of a crime.

Cover photo: Collage: IMAGO/ZUMA Wire & agefotostock

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