Abu Ghraib victim speaks
The week's news at a glance.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Ali Shalah, the hooded Iraqi prisoner in the most iconic picture from Abu Ghraib prison, described his harrowing experience during a conference in Malaysia this week. Arrested in 2003, Shalah said his American captors beat him, deprived him of sleep, and pelted him with human waste. On three occasions, he said, he was hooded and placed on a box, his outstretched arms attached to electrodes. “As the electric current entered my whole body, I felt as if my eyes were being forced out and sparks were flying out,” Shalah said. “My teeth were clattering violently and my legs shaking violently as well.” After a few months, he said, U.S. soldiers realized he was not an insurgent and let him go without an apology. He now heads a group that advocates for Iraqi torture victims. Eleven enlisted personnel have been convicted of charges stemming from abuses at Abu Ghraib. Several officers have been reprimanded, while charges against one are pending.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
How will the next pope change the Catholic Church?
Talking Points Conclaves can be unpredictable
By Joel Mathis, The Week US
-
Conspiracy theorists circle again following RFK file release
The Explainer Both RFK and his brother, President John F. Kennedy, have been the subjects of conspiracies
By Justin Klawans, The Week US
-
7 equestrian activities for when you feel like horsin' around
The Week Recommends These graceful animals make any experience better
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US