Bagram Airbase

Two Afghan men died in U.S. custody at Bagram Airbase, a base just North of Kabul, in December of 2002. According to the death certificates of one of the men, Dilawar, the death – which a U.S. spokesman originally attributed to natural causes - actually was the result of “blunt force injuries to the lower extremities complicating coronary artery disease.” The death was ruled a homicide by the medical examiner. The death of another Afghan, Mullah Habibullah, on December 3, 2002, also was ruled a homicide – due to the apparent impact of what a spokesman called “a blunt force object.” U.S. officials report that investigations into the two deaths are ongoing.

Press reports indicate that hundreds of individuals have been held at Bagram. Released detainees allege that they were beaten, chained in uncomfortable positions for hours, and stripped naked at the facility.

Deaths in Custody – Letter to Lt. Gen. Vines Regarding Two Deaths at Bagram Airbase (11/12/03) (PDF-23KB)