Abu Ghraib
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 βenhanced interrogation techniquesβ 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 βhooded figureβ in the images that emerged.
Lawyer Katherine Gallagher, who represents several other former detainees.
Producer: Artemis Irvine
Series Producer: David Prest
A Whistledown production for ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
Last on
Broadcasts
- Sun 23 Apr 2023 11:15ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
- Fri 28 Apr 2023 09:00ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
The Reunion - Eight incredible moments from modern history told by the people who were there
What happens when The Reunion brings together people to relive moments of modern history?
A full list of the re-published episodes
To mark the 200th edition of The Reunion, 28 editions have been re-published.
Best of The Reunion
A selection of the best editions of the programme.