The Case Against Rumsfeld: The Victims

Afghan citizen Mohammed Karim Shirullah, who is 45, was detained by United States military at various locations in Afghanistan, including the Bagram air base. He was detained for approximately six months, from December 2003 to June 2004. During his detention, Ahmad was tortured and subjected to otherwise cruel and degrading treatment.

Soldiers severely beat Shirullah while in custody. On one occasion, he was beat so fiercely that the blows ruptured his right eardrum. He was never treated after the beating and he is now deaf in his right ear. Shirullah was also forced to maintain painful and contorted positions, including maintaining a “T” position for an hour and sitting in a small space with no back support with his legs tied and his eyes and ears covered.

Like other detainees, Shirullah was subjected to extreme sensory depravation and isolation. He was forced to wear black, opaque goggles and wrist restraints for more than two weeks. Military personnel also kept him in solitary confinement in a room with no windows for more than one month. For the entire time of his detention -- about six months -- Shirullah was forbidden from speaking with any other detainees.

Shirullah was also sexually and psychologically traumatized by U.S. military personnel. Soldiers stripped him naked, probed his anus and photographed him. Interrogators would also strip him naked and throw water on him during interrogations. As with other detainees, military personnel forced Shirullah to use an open toilet, with knowledge that such treatment would cause psychological suffering by Afghan cultural norms.

Shirullah continues to suffer from the injuries incurred while in detention. In addition to the deafness in his right ear, Shirullah experiences painful swelling in his legs. He is also unable to sleep through the night without medication.


	Mohammed Karim Shirullah Afghan citizen Mohammed Karim Shirullah, who is 45, was detained by United States military at various locations in Afghanistan, including the Bagram air base. He was detained for approximately six months, from December 2003 to June 2004. During his detention, Ahmad was tortured and subjected to otherwise cruel and degrading treatment. Soldiers severely beat Shirullah while in custody. On one occasion, he was beat so fiercely that the blows ruptured his right eardrum. He was never treated after the beating and he is now deaf in his right ear. Shirullah was also forced to maintain painful and contorted positions, including maintaining a “T” position for an hour and sitting in a small space with no back support with his legs tied and his eyes and ears covered. Like other detainees, Shirullah was subjected to extreme sensory depravation and isolation. He was forced to wear black, opaque goggles and wrist restraints for more than two weeks. Military personnel also kept him in solitary confinement in a room with no windows for more than one month. For the entire time of his detention -- about six months -- Shirullah was forbidden from speaking with any other detainees. Shirullah was also sexually and psychologically traumatized by U.S. military personnel. Soldiers stripped him naked, probed his anus and photographed him. Interrogators would also strip him naked and throw water on him during interrogations. As with other detainees, military personnel forced Shirullah to use an open toilet, with knowledge that such treatment would cause psychological suffering by Afghan cultural norms. Shirullah continues to suffer from the injuries incurred while in detention. In addition to the deafness in his right ear, Shirullah experiences painful swelling in his legs. He is also unable to sleep through the night without medication.