Detainee

$11 Million Settlement Reached in DuPage County Jail Detainee Death Lawsuit

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WHEATON, Ill. — DuPage County has agreed to an $11 million settlement with the family of an Addison woman who died while in custody at the county jail, addressing allegations that the jail staff failed to provide adequate medical and mental health care to the detainee. Reyneda Aguilar-Hurtado, 50, was found unresponsive in her cell on June 12, 2023, and later pronounced dead. A lawsuit filed by Aguilar-Hurtado’s family names DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick, along with several other jail medical personnel and deputies, citing negligence in care. Following her death, the medical examiner determined … Read more

Lawyer Seeks Urgent Medical Leave for Critically Ill Political Detainee Abbas Vahidian

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Tehran, Iran – Attorneys representing Abbas Vahidian, a detainee held on politically motivated charges, have made a formal request for his temporary release on medical grounds. Vahidian, whose health has been rapidly deteriorating, has suffered a stroke while in custody, which has raised serious concerns about his access to adequate healthcare. Vahidian, a critical voice against what he perceives as systemic injustices within the current Iranian regime, was arrested during a crackdown on dissenters in the country. Facing harsh conditions in detention, his medical issues have been exacerbated, leading to severe physical impairments that, his … Read more

U.S. Jury Orders Military Contractor to Pay $42 Million for Role in Abu Ghraib Detainee Abuse

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ALEXANDRIA, Va. — In a landmark decision, a U.S. jury awarded $42 million on Tuesday to three former detainees who suffered abuse two decades ago at Iraq’s infamous Abu Ghraib prison. They filed a lawsuit against a Virginia-based military contractor, alleging it was complicit in their torture and abuse. The plaintiffs, Suhail Al Shimari, Salah Al-Ejaili, and Asa’ad Al-Zubae, each received $3 million in compensatory damages and $11 million in punitive damages. The jury found that the contractor, CACI, failed to prevent the mistreatment by its civilian interrogators, who worked alongside the U.S. Army at … Read more