CIA authorised to torture suspects

WASHINGTON - The US Justice Department has allowed the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to torture jailed terror suspects, according to the three torture memos made public Thursday.

“These documents supply further evidence, if any were needed, that the Justice Department authorised the CIA to torture prisoners in its custody,” said Jameel Jaffer from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

A memo released by the US Justice Department in 2002 told CIA interrogators that they would not violate the anti-torture laws unless they “have the specific intent to inflict severe pain or suffering” on terrorist suspects.