CIA Destroyed Nearly 100 Terror Interrogation Tapes

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The CIA has acknowledged destroying nearly 100 videotapes of terror suspect interrogations conducted during the Bush administration.

The acknowledgment Monday stemmed from a lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union.

Acting U.S. Attorney Lev Dassin said in a letter submitted in the case that the CIA can now identify 92 destroyed tapes.

An attorney for the ACLU said the large number of videotapes destroyed confirms the agency engaged in what she alleged was a "systematic attempt" to hide evidence of illegal interrogations.

A firestorm of controversy erupted over the harsh interrogation practices used under former President George W. Bush and revelations that videotapes were destroyed.

The tapes were believed to have shown the use of harsh interrogation methods, including waterboarding, which simulates drowning.

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