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Holder to Probe CIA Torture Cases: Officials

Special prosecutor will pursue agents who took things 'too far'

By Drew Nelles,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 9, 2009 4:55 PM CDT

(Newser) – Attorney General Eric Holder is planning to name a special prosecutor to probe cases of alleged CIA torture of terror suspects, the Los Angeles Times reports. Insiders say the narrowly focused inquiry will aim to determine "whether people went beyond the techniques that were authorized" in the so-called torture memos, but will not challenge the legal basis of the interrogation program itself.

Several CIA officials have put off retirement to maintain access to classified files and build their defense cases. "Once you're out, it gets a lot harder," one retiree says. But some Justice and CIA insiders doubt Holder's prosecutor can navigate these untested legal waters: "A number of people could say honestly, correctly, 'I didn't know what was in" the memos, says a former official. Other analysts insist that interrogators knowingly took things too far.

Mike Morice, center, and other members of World Can't Wait group perform a live waterboarding demonstration.
Mike Morice, center, and other members of World Can't Wait group perform a live waterboarding demonstration.   (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
In this June 26, 2008 file photo John Yoo, an author of the Bush interrogation memos, testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington.
In this June 26, 2008 file photo John Yoo, an author of the Bush interrogation memos, testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington.   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)
Attorney General Eric Holder congratulates the Shawl House program  in San Pedro, Calif. on Thursday, July 16, 2009.
Attorney General Eric Holder congratulates the Shawl House program in San Pedro, Calif. on Thursday, July 16, 2009.   (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 18 comments
armywife
Aug 10, 2009 12:55 PM CDT
do y'all really believe that everyone in Gitmo is a dangerous terrorist? is that what you really believe? you must, or you wouldnt be able to write and say the things you do, like "chainsaw them into pieces" - how do you know which people are guilty terrorists and which are innocents caught up in the dragnet, unless you give them a fair trial? it is just easier to believe that they are all guilty monsters, huh? then you dont have to think as much, is that it?
Corona_Kinq
Aug 10, 2009 12:50 PM CDT
Wow Denise - "I honestly feel the CIA are the only hope we have between my having to wear a burka in Virginia." That's one of the dumbest things I've ever heard. Turn off your Hannity and Beck, they're gonna scare you to death.
Ucantusethatname
Aug 10, 2009 12:22 PM CDT
Any probe is good for terrorists but not for Americans. Give it up, Holder, and get on with the Obamessiah agenda.

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