**US Jury Awards $42 Million to Abu Ghraib Detainees in Landmark Case**

In a groundbreaking legal decision, a U.S. jury has awarded $42 million to three former detainees of the infamous Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq. The jury found Virginia-based defense contractor CACI Premier Technology liable for its role in the abuse that took place nearly 20 years ago. This verdict comes from the second trial of the case, as the first trial ended in a mistrial earlier this year when the jury was unable to reach a decision.

The plaintiffs, Suhail al-Shimari, Salah al-Ejaili, and Asa'ad al-Zubae, who initiated their lawsuit in 2008, recounted harrowing experiences of beatings, sexual abuse, and forced nudity during their time at the prison. CACI, which provided interrogators to the U.S. Army, contended in court that its employees were not directly responsible for the abuse, attributing the mistreatment to military police personnel. However, the jury found that CACI was still accountable, believing that the contractor's interrogators had instructed the military police to "soften up" the detainees.

Following the verdict, CACI issued a statement saying it had been unfairly scapegoated. The company pointed out that no CACI employee had ever faced criminal, civil, or administrative charges related to the abuse at Abu Ghraib.

The jury's decision marks a historic moment, as it is reportedly the first time a civilian contractor has been held legally accountable for the maltreatment at Abu Ghraib. Each of the three plaintiffs was awarded $3 million in compensatory damages and $11 million in punitive damages.

After the verdict, Mr. al-Ejaili expressed his relief, stating, "I've waited a long time for this day. This victory is a shining light for everyone who has been oppressed and a strong warning to any company or contractor practicing different forms of torture and abuse."

Abu Ghraib gained international notoriety after disturbing photographs were leaked in 2004, prompting widespread condemnation. Although 11 U.S. soldiers were convicted of breaking military laws in connection with the abuse, many received relatively short sentences, with the last soldier in prison being released in August 2011.