On Tuesday, three former detainees of Abu Ghraib were awarded a $42 million judgment against an American defense contractor, related to allegations of electrocution, beatings, and other forms of abuse experienced at the notorious prison, which was run by U.S. forces after the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

The jury’s decision favored Salah Al-Ejaili, a journalist; Suhail Al Shimari, a middle school principal; and Asa’ad Zuba’e, a fruit vendor. They had filed a lawsuit against the defense contractor CACI Premier Technology, asserting that CACI interrogators were responsible for their torture while they were held at the prison’s “hard site” as detailed in the federal court filings.

This verdict concludes a protracted legal battle that began in 2008 in the Eastern District of Virginia. CACI is required to pay each of the men $3 million in compensatory damages and $11 million in punitive damages.

Abuses at the prison near Baghdad received significant attention after the U.S. military took it over from Saddam Hussein’s regime. Reports and images of the maltreatment triggered multiple military investigations, revealing a systemic pattern of prisoner mistreatment. A number of leaked photos depicted American guards assaulting handcuffed Iraqis, committing sexual abuses, and using dogs to intimidate detainees.

A dozen military personnel faced criminal charges due to their roles in these incidents; however, this verdict is significant as it marks the first instance of private contractors being deemed liable for the torture that occurred at Abu Ghraib.

The conclusion of this 16-year case aligns with ongoing efforts by prosecutors to resolve another high-profile case from the same period — that of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, known as the mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks. Guilty pleas from Mohammed and his co-conspirators could be expected as soon as January, according to the Office of Military Commissions.

“It’s hard to express my feelings right now,” O said Al-Ejaili, reflecting on his detention by U.S. forces while reporting for Al Jazeera. “But what I can say is we achieved a tremendous victory . . . This is a significant day for justice, even for America; at last, we’ve attained justice for some of the Abu Ghraib detainees.”

CACI strongly denied any wrongdoing at Abu Ghraib following the verdict. A spokesperson stated, “For nearly two decades, CACI has been wrongly associated with the unfortunate actions of certain military police.” They pointed out that those responsible for the egregious behaviors had already faced court martial and punishment.

Employees of CACI were employed as interrogators at Abu Ghraib, and the company announced plans to appeal the judgment.

“To clarify: no CACI employee has ever been charged — either criminally, civilly, or administratively — in connection with these matters. Our employees were not involved or responsible for these horrifying events,” the company asserted.

Electrocution, beatings, and additional abuses

All three Iraqi men found themselves incarcerated in late 2003 at the Abu Ghraib hard site, where they were reportedly subjected to brutal torture as detailed in the federal lawsuit.

Zuba’e spent nearly a year at the hard site, facing numerous abuses as stated in the lawsuit. He endured genital beatings with a stick, was stripped of his clothes and kept naked, and spent a year in solitary confinement.

According to the lawsuit, Al Shimari was kept in a cage where he experienced electrocution and was threatened with attack dogs. Al-Ejiali reported facing similar treatment.

Al-Ejiali was released in February 2004, Zuba’e in October 2004, and Al Shimari in March 2008. None of them were ever charged with any offenses.

The torture they endured represents just a minor part of the broader spectrum of extreme abuse inflicted on Iraqi detainees. Major General Antonio Taguba’s investigation in 2004 highlighted numerous atrocities, such as rampant sexual assault, beatings, and humiliation of prisoners.

The lawsuit indicated that CACI interrogators were integral to the abuses that occurred.

“The solid evidence clearly demonstrates,” stated Baher Azmy, legal director at the Constitutional Rights Center, “that this private military contractor CACI was central to organizing, directing, participating in, and perpetuating the torture and other forms of mistreatment at the Abu Ghraib prison’s hard site.”

Lawyer utilizes historical law: ‘America shines today’

The law used by the prosecutors to advance the case for the three Iraqi men originates from 1789, a statute previously utilized to prosecute pirates who kidnapped French Attorney Shereef Akeel has taken a groundbreaking legal action under the Alien Tort Statute, a federal law from 1789 that enables non-U.S. citizens to pursue justice in American courts for breaches of international law. This law was originally created to foster goodwill for the United States and is still in effect today.

Akeel highlighted that this time-honored statute was crucial in addressing the accountability of those responsible for abuses at Abu Ghraib, who had so far avoided any punishment. “The only individuals who have escaped justice are the contractors,” he expressed to the Detroit Free Press, a member of the YSL News Network.

This lawsuit brings to light some of the most brutal offenses committed in recent U.S. history. However, Akeel believes that the outcome of the case signifies positive progress.

“This is incredible. America is shining today,” Akeel remarked shortly after the significant verdict was delivered. “The jury has sent a clear message globally: if you are acting on behalf of America, the principles of human dignity are universal, regardless of whether you are an American or a citizen from another nation.”

The ruling reinforced Akeel’s faith in American values. “It confirms what we stand for and our potential for goodness,” Akeel stated, emphasizing: “The goal of this case is to demonstrate that even if you were subjected to torture in Iraq, U.S. laws will extend their reach to ensure accountability.”