Psychologists accused of designing CIA 'torture' programme to face trial

'The factual evidence supports the men having recommended the use of interrogation techniques like waterboarding'

Two psychologists accused of being the architects of Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) interrogation program will be proceed to trial.

US District Court Judge Justin L Quackenbush rejected the psychologists’ lawyer request for a summary judgement and agreed to proceeded to trial.

The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit on behalf of two men who were detained by the CIA and the family of a third who died in custody. They were subjected to brutal torture which included beating, sleep deprivation, enduring extreme temperatures and even waterboarding.



“Methods employed by the CIA to extract information from suspects were brutal and far worse than what they represented to policymakers and others,” stated a US senate report on post 9/11 interrogation techniques.

“This is a historic day for our clients and all who seek accountability for torture,” ACLU attorney Dror Ladin said in a press release. “The court’s ruling means that for the first time, individuals responsible for the brutal and unlawful CIA torture program will face meaningful legal accountability for what they did.”

James Mitchell and John “Bruce” Jessen had designed, implemented and personally administered an experimental torture program on behalf of the CIA.

“Mr Mitchell and Mr Jessen violated international norms and were liable for war crimes,” alleges the complaint.

Even though the pair has acknowledged advising the government on techniques used for questioning detainees but the dispute lies in the role they played in designing and implementing the interrogation programme



The attorneys argue that their clients’ role as CIA advisors was ceased in 2002 and there is no connection between the treatment of three men whose case is being pursued by ACLU.

“The factual evidence supports the men having recommended the use of enhanced interrogation techniques like waterboarding,” Judge Quackenbush wrote.

He even cited a CIA inspector general report which found that Mr Jessen’s significant role in the interrogation of Gul Rehman, the defendant who died in custody, cannot be denied.

This article originally appeared on The Independent