Today's Article
The CIA's destruction
of videotapes which
may have shown the
torture of suspected
terrorists should
conclude in the next
several days, says a
prosecution official.
of videotapes which
may have shown the
torture of suspected
terrorists should
conclude in the next
several days, says a
prosecution official.
The American Spark
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CIA Video Destruction Investigation To Conclude In Days
By Cliff Montgomery - Feb. 9th, 2009
The Central Intelligence Agency's destruction of videotapes which may have shown the torture of suspected
terrorists is the topic of "an ongoing criminal investigation" which should conclude in the next several days, a
top prosecution official has declared.
"Investigators are now in the process of scheduling interviews with the remaining witnesses to be interviewed
in this investigation," Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia John Durham wrote in a
December 2008 affidavit.
"Based on the investigative accomplishments to date, we anticipate that by mid-February 2009, and no later
than February 28, 2009, we will have completed the interviews," added Durham.
Durham's statements were issued in the midst of a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) suit filed by the James
Madison Project, a government watchdog group, for the release of documents dealing with the Agency's
videotape destruction.
The government has requested a stay of FOIA proceedings until it has finished all witness interviews. At a
January 6th hearing, the court granted the requested stay until February 28th, 2009, according to James
Madison Project Director Mark Zaid.
Major details of the ongoing criminal investigation were 'blacked out' from the Durham affidavit, such as the
number of documents examined and the final number of witness interviews.
All the same, the affidavit still provides a decent record of federal activity on the FOIA suit, stating that "a
considerable portion of the work to be done in connection with the investigation has already been completed."
Durham further noted that "in many instances," witnesses seeking legal representation and the clearance of
witness attorneys have caused delays.
In other cases, federal officials involved in the apparent videotaped torture sessions have retired, and were
quietly "read out" of their particular intelligence programs. Hence it has taken extra time to reinstate their
credentials, he added.
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By Cliff Montgomery - Feb. 9th, 2009
The Central Intelligence Agency's destruction of videotapes which may have shown the torture of suspected
terrorists is the topic of "an ongoing criminal investigation" which should conclude in the next several days, a
top prosecution official has declared.
"Investigators are now in the process of scheduling interviews with the remaining witnesses to be interviewed
in this investigation," Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia John Durham wrote in a
December 2008 affidavit.
"Based on the investigative accomplishments to date, we anticipate that by mid-February 2009, and no later
than February 28, 2009, we will have completed the interviews," added Durham.
Durham's statements were issued in the midst of a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) suit filed by the James
Madison Project, a government watchdog group, for the release of documents dealing with the Agency's
videotape destruction.
The government has requested a stay of FOIA proceedings until it has finished all witness interviews. At a
January 6th hearing, the court granted the requested stay until February 28th, 2009, according to James
Madison Project Director Mark Zaid.
Major details of the ongoing criminal investigation were 'blacked out' from the Durham affidavit, such as the
number of documents examined and the final number of witness interviews.
All the same, the affidavit still provides a decent record of federal activity on the FOIA suit, stating that "a
considerable portion of the work to be done in connection with the investigation has already been completed."
Durham further noted that "in many instances," witnesses seeking legal representation and the clearance of
witness attorneys have caused delays.
In other cases, federal officials involved in the apparent videotaped torture sessions have retired, and were
quietly "read out" of their particular intelligence programs. Hence it has taken extra time to reinstate their
credentials, he added.
Like what you're reading so far? Then why not order a full year (52 issues) of the The American Spark
e-newsletter for only $15? A major article covering an story not being told in the Corporate Press will be
delivered to your email every Monday morning for a full year, for less than 30 cents an issue. Order Now!
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