Spanish judge opens investigation into Gitmo torture allegations

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Spanish Judge Baltazar Garzon has decided to initiate an investigation into torture allegations at Guantanamo Bay made by four former prisoners held at the facility, reports the Jurist.

Garzon said he based his decision on statements from former prisoners who claim they were subject to various forms of physical and mental abuse.

Garzon also said that recently released CIA interrogation memos detailed what had been previously suspected, a plan which authorized the systematic torture and mistreatment of persons who were deprived the basic rights of detainees.

According to Garzon, the alleged abuse violates the Geneva Conventions, the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and other international treaties.

Additionally, Garzon said the investigation is authorized under Spain's concept of universal jurisdiction, which allows a Spanish court to pursue certain types of cases, such as torture, outside its national borders, but only when legal action has not already commenced within the other country involved, the report says.

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