The Case Against Rumsfeld: The Victims

Thahe Mohammed Sabbar is a 36-year-old Iraqi who was detained by the United States military for approximately six months from July 2003 to January 2004. Sabbar was detained at various locations in Iraq, including Camp Bucca and Abu Ghraib prison. While in American custody, Sabbar was subjected to acts of torture and cruel and degrading treatment. Sabbar's quality of life has suffered greatly since his detention. He has nerve damage and pain in his shoulder and is prone to uncontrollable bouts of shaking and crying.

Sabbar received frequent and severe beatings from U.S. military personnel. Soldiers used guns and an electric weapon to beat and shock Sabbar, and forced him and other detainees to run through a gauntlet of 10 to 20 uniformed soldiers, who screamed at them and beat them with wooden batons. Sabbar was also shackled to a fence with his hands behind his back and was left for several hours at temperatures exceeding 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

In addition to physical abuse, Sabbar was sexually assaulted by U.S. military personnel. On one occasion, one or more soldiers inserted their fingers into Sabbar's anus and grabbed and fondled his buttocks while making moaning sounds and jeering at him. This was done in the presence of other soldiers, including females, in order to further degrade and demean Sabbar.

Soldiers also staged mock executions with Sabbar and other detainees to terrorize and humiliate them. During one such execution, Sabbar and others were forced to stand against a wall in front of a firing squad. The squad simulated gunfire and then laughed as the detainees lost control of their bladders. Sabbar was also threatened by soldiers who told him they would send him to Guantánamo, where he would be killed.

Throughout his detention, Sabbar was routinely deprived of food and water. At times,

guards gave Sabbar and other detainees spoiled food, which caused some detainees to vomit. He was also kept shackled for extended periods and denied access to a toilet, causing him to soil his pants. As a result of this treatment, and of the sexual and physical abuse, Sabbar currently suffers from incontinence, impotence and nightmares.

After his release from custody, Sabbar returned to Abu Ghraib to seek return of property confiscated from him by U.S. forces and to inquire about a business partner who remained in custody. Military personnel responded to his requests by detaining him once again in a locked room. He was finally released without his property. Sabbar left and fears that he will be further detained or killed if he seeks remedies for his injuries or his losses.


	Thahe Mohammed Sabbar Thahe Mohammed Sabbar is a 36-year-old Iraqi who was detained by the United States military for approximately six months from July 2003 to January 2004. Sabbar was detained at various locations in Iraq, including Camp Bucca and Abu Ghraib prison. While in American custody, Sabbar was subjected to acts of torture and cruel and degrading treatment. Sabbar's quality of life has suffered greatly since his detention. He has nerve damage and pain in his shoulder and is prone to uncontrollable bouts of shaking and crying. Sabbar received frequent and severe beatings from U.S. military personnel. Soldiers used guns and an electric weapon to beat and shock Sabbar, and forced him and other detainees to run through a gauntlet of 10 to 20 uniformed soldiers, who screamed at them and beat them with wooden batons. Sabbar was also shackled to a fence with his hands behind his back and was left for several hours at temperatures exceeding 120 degrees Fahrenheit. In addition to physical abuse, Sabbar was sexually assaulted by U.S. military personnel. On one occasion, one or more soldiers inserted their fingers into Sabbar's anus and grabbed and fondled his buttocks while making moaning sounds and jeering at him. This was done in the presence of other soldiers, including females, in order to further degrade and demean Sabbar. Soldiers also staged mock executions with Sabbar and other detainees to terrorize and humiliate them. During one such execution, Sabbar and others were forced to stand against a wall in front of a firing squad. The squad simulated gunfire and then laughed as the detainees lost control of their bladders. Sabbar was also threatened by soldiers who told him they would send him to Guantánamo, where he would be killed. Throughout his detention, Sabbar was routinely deprived of food and water. At times, guards gave Sabbar and other detainees spoiled food, which caused some detainees to vomit. He was also kept shackled for extended periods and denied access to a toilet, causing him to soil his pants. As a result of this treatment, and of the sexual and physical abuse, Sabbar currently suffers from incontinence, impotence and nightmares. After his release from custody, Sabbar returned to Abu Ghraib to seek return of property confiscated from him by U.S. forces and to inquire about a business partner who remained in custody. Military personnel responded to his requests by detaining him once again in a locked room. He was finally released without his property. Sabbar left and fears that he will be further detained or killed if he seeks remedies for his injuries or his losses.