On August 26, 2006, US officials finished moving Abu Ghraib's remaining prisoners to other US-run detention centers. The US had been under pressure to close the prison in Iraq after photos of US troops abusing prisoners surfaced in April 2004. After the release of the initial photos, more evidence surfaced of the extent of the prisoner abuse. Only two military officials served time in prison for their involvement in the abuse. In 2005, Pfc. Lynndie England and Spc. Charles Graner, depicted posing in many torture photos, were found guilty of various charges, including assault, conspiracy, maltreating detainees, committing an indecent act and dereliction of duty. The prison was returned to the Iraqi government after all prisoners were moved and reopened by the Iraqi Ministry of Justice after being renamed the Baghdad Central Prison.

Abu Ghraib exterior

Learn more about the Abu Graib prison scandal from the JURIST news archive, and read an overview of the Iraq War in Features.

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