Command's Responsibility: Detainee Deaths in U.S. Custody in Iraq and Afghanistan

Dilar Dababa

Dilar Dababa, an approximately 45-year-old Iraqi civilian detainee, died on June 13, 2003 at Camp Cropper, after being subjected to what press accounts of unreleased Army investigation records describe as “physical and psychological stress” and restraint in a chair during interrogation. Military investigation documents cite an autopsy finding that Dababa died from a “hard, fast blow to the head.” The Armed Forces Medical Examiner’s autopsy report on Dilar Dababa does not use the same language, but states that “[p]hysical force was required to subdue the detainee, and during the restraining process, his forehead hit the ground.” Twelve hours later, he was dead.

The medical examiner’s autopsy lists the cause of Dababa’s death as a “Closed Head Injury with a Cortical Brain Contusion and Subdural Hematoma.” The autopsy describes a litany of injuries in technical detail, and makes clear that Dababa was subjected to physical violence. Dababa’s body was covered with at least 22 bruises, and at least 50 abrasions. His head and neck suffering the most significant abuse, resulting in hemorrhaging throughout his brain. He also had a fractured rib. A military official stated in May 2004 that Army criminal investigators were looking into Dababa’s death, but there has been no documentation of any charges being brought against those responsible for the death. The military has not publicly provided an official cause of death. Human Rights First asked the Department of Defense on January 20 and 26, 2006 for the status of any investigation or prosecution in Dababa’s case; as of February 10, 2006 we had received no response.

Source: Command's Responsibility: Detainee Deaths in U.S. Custody in Iraq and Afghanistan (2006)