AN AMERICAN civilian contractor working for the CIA was charged yesterday in connection with the death of a prisoner held by US forces in Afghanistan.
David Passaro, a 38-year-old former US Army Ranger, used his hands, feet and a large torch to beat the detainee during two days of interrogations in June last year.
Abdul Wali died in his cell the following day. He was being questioned in connection with missile attacks on a US military base near the town of Asadabad, close to the Pakistani border.
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Mr Passaro is the first civilian to be charged with mistreatment of prisoners since the scandal of Abu Ghraib surfaced. At least two civilians have been implicated in mistreatment at the prison but have not been charged.
Mr Passaro faces two charges of assault with a dangerous weapon and two of assault resulting in serious bodily harm. He faces a maximum jail term of 40 years and up to $1 million (£544,000) in fines if found guilty.
John Ashcroft, the US Attorney General, announced the indictment and insisted that those who mistreated prisoners would be pursued.