Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Judge Throws Out Rumsfeld Torture Suit

Abuse and humiliation regretted, but officials are immune

By Peter Fearon,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 28, 2007 7:56 AM CDT

(Newser) – Donald Rumsfeld can't be held personally responsible for the alleged mistreatment of prisoners held in overseas military prisons on his watch. Calling the case “lamentable,” U.S. District Judge Thomas Hogan nevertheless dismissed a suit against the former defense secretary on behalf of nine former prisoners in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The plaintiffs say they were subjected to a litany of torture and humiliation including beatings, sexual abuse and mock executions.“No matter how appealing it might seem to use the courts to correct allegations of severe abuses of power," Hogan wrote, "government officials are immune from such lawsuits.”

Donald Rumsfeld
Donald Rumsfeld   (Getty Images (by Event))
US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld speaks during a press...
US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld speaks during a press...   (Getty Images)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

CIA Fills Void in Iraq, Afghanistan

Afghanistan Probes Teen Bride's Torture

UN: Solitary Confinement Amounts to Torture

Afghanistan Routinely Tortures Prisoners: UN

Judge Lets Army Vet Sue Rumsfeld Over Detention


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne