Were the prisoners in Iraq labeled "terrorists"? Why were they tortured?

[kentuck]

They did not bomb the WTC, as far we know. So we could not have been torturing or abusing them to get that information. So what information were we looking for? Did we want to know where Saddam was or where the WMDs were? So, if they were not terrorists, why would they be tortured? ANd if there were no WMDs, what other information could we have been looking for? Could it have been that we were abusing and torturing innocent Iraqis that had nothing to do with our country being attacked on 9/11 and knew nothing about the "terrorists" and knew nothing about WMDs??? Think about it.

[Eric J in MN]

1. lots of things someone might theoretically know

As you said, where are the wmds? Also, where are insurgents, where are roadside bombs?

[paranoid floyd]

2. Anger

Getting useful information in times of war has been going on as long as there has been war. However, when there was nothing to get and the soldiers were still being killed the interrogation started to get personal. These people were beaten out of anger and frustration. They became little more than a punching bag.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

3. I think they were just torturing and humiliating anyone unlucky enough

to be placed under custody.

[fishnfla]

4. many of them were released, they were civilians caught up

some were foreign fighters, the torture was to find out their logistical support, etc

at the time, the insurgency was getting ramped up, more troops were dying, hell, even the prison itself was being attacked daily

the torture came more out of that atmosphere than WMD's, I think.