The appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate the torture of terrorist suspects by CIA officials marks the beginning of several years of paralysis for the US intelligence community and the likely jailing of several officials.
The decision by Attorney General Eric Holder to appoint John Durham to investigate claims of abuse comes fast on the release of a five year old report by the CIA’s Inspector General that sharply criticised ‘inhumane’ interrogation tactics.
America has a long history of appointing special prosecutors who, once they start their own interrogations, tend to roam far and wide beyond their initial brief. In this case, Durham is already investigating the destruction of 92 tapes showing the interrogation of terror suspects. Their destruction was ordered by Jose Rodriguez, then head of the CIA’s National Clandestine Service, and speculation is rife that he will be indicted.
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