Kilmar Abrego Garcia's Torture Allegations Resurface Amid Legal Battles in U.S.
Kilmar Abrego Garcia, extradited to the U.S. in June, alleges severe torture in El Salvador prison while facing human smuggling charges in Tennessee.
Overview
- Kilmar Abrego Garcia was extradited to the U.S. in June to face human smuggling charges in Tennessee after being deported to El Salvador.
- He alleges severe torture, including physical beatings and psychological abuse, during his nearly three-month imprisonment in an El Salvador mega-jail.
- Garcia lost over 30 pounds in two weeks due to mistreatment, including forced kneeling and sleep deprivation, according to his lawyers.
- Despite being ruled eligible for release by a federal judge, Garcia remains in custody amid fears of deportation and ongoing torture claims.
- The Trump administration seeks to dismiss a lawsuit regarding his deportation, arguing it is moot since he has returned to the U.S. after the Supreme Court's ruling.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the narrative around Kilmar Abrego García's alleged torture and mistreatment in a Salvadoran prison, emphasizing his claims of innocence and the denial of charges. They express skepticism towards government assertions linking him to gangs, highlighting systemic issues in the justice system and advocating for human rights protections.
The Trump administration has accused Mr Ábrego García of being a member of MS-13 based on alleged tattoos, a claim denied by his family and lawyers.
He lost over 30 pounds due to mistreatment, sleep deprivation, and inadequate nutrition during his first two weeks in prison in El Salvador.
Kilmar Abrego Garcia endured severe physical and psychological torture in a high-security prison in El Salvador.
Mr Ábrego García and 20 other prisoners were allegedly forced to kneel all night long in a cell, with guards striking anyone who fell from exhaustion.
Prison officials repeatedly threatened to transfer Abrego to cells with gang members who would harm him.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was not charged with any crime or cited for any wrongdoing at the time.
Abrego was subjected to physical abuse, forced nudity, and extreme weight loss at CECOT prison in El Salvador, according to court documents.
Screams from nearby cells went unanswered by prison guards throughout the night.
Abrego and four others were transferred to a different module in CECOT on April 9, and despite being transferred to a different prison in early April, Abrego Garcia was still denied contact with his attorneys or family members.
The individual was transferred to the Centro Industrial prison facility in Santa Ana, El Salvador, where he was often kept away from visitors.
The Supreme Court and a federal judge both ruled that his removal was illegal and ordered his return or release.
Abrego Garcia's lawyers are requesting his return to Maryland and a separate habeas corpus hearing to be held there.
Despite being ruled eligible for release by a federal judge in Tennessee, Mr. Ábrego García has remained in jail due to fears of immediate deportation.
Abrego was deported to El Salvador on March 15 and placed into CECOT, a notorious megaprison with harsh conditions.
Detainees were confined to overcrowded cells with metal bunks lacking mattresses, windows, and with bright lights that remained on 24 hours a day.
Articles (13)
Center (6)
"…Lawyers for Kilmar Ábrego García, 29, alleged that assaults from guards left him with visible injuries within a day of his arrival at the CECOT prison."
BBC News·11d·"…Abrego was allegedly subjected to severe beatings, sleep deprivation, inadequate nutrition and psychological torture, his attorneys said in an amended complaint filed Wednesday."
NBC News·11d·"…Abrego Garcia experienced "severe beatings" and "psychological torture" in a notorious high-security prison in El Salvador after he was deported by the Trump administration."
USA TODAY·12d·"…Abrego Garcia was beaten and subjected to psychological torture in the notorious El Salvador prison the Trump administration had deported him to."
Associated Press·12d·"…Abrego Garcia says he faced "psychological torture" and "severe beatings" after he was sent to a supermax prison in El Salvador earlier this year."
CBS News·12d·"…Abrego Garcia was subjected to severe mistreatment including "beatings, severe deprivation, inadequate nutrition and psychological torture" upon his arrival in March at CECOT, the notorious mega-prison in El Salvador, according to a newly proposed amended complaint from his lawyers."
ABC News·12d·FAQ
Kilmar Abrego Garcia alleged severe mistreatment including beatings, being forcibly chained, psychological torture such as forced kneeling, sleep deprivation, denial of basic needs, inadequate nutrition, and repeated physical strikes by prison officers upon his arrival at CECOT prison in El Salvador.
He was deported to El Salvador despite a 2019 court order barring his deportation due to fears of persecution. The Trump administration claimed Garcia was a member of the MS-13 gang, which he denied. This claim led to his erroneous deportation to El Salvador where he faced mistreatment.
Garcia's lawyers are amending a civil lawsuit against the Trump administration to block his deportation while he awaits trial on human smuggling charges in Tennessee. They seek to include his allegations of torture and wrongful deportation in the filing to prevent his removal again.
He is currently in federal custody in Tennessee facing human smuggling charges and the Department of Justice is considering deportation to a third country.
Due to severe mistreatment and inadequate nutrition in CECOT prison, Kilmar Abrego Garcia lost over 30 pounds during nearly three months of wrongful imprisonment.
History
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