Criminal probe into destroyed CIA tapes

Published on Wednesday 2 January 2008 23:42

A CRIMINAL investigation was launched by the US Justice Department yesterday into the destruction of CIA interrogation videotapes.

The CIA acknowledged last month that it destroyed videos of officers using tough interrogation methods while questioning two al-Qaeda suspects which sparked a congressional inquiry.

Attorney General Michael Mukasey said: "The Department's National Security Division has recommended, and I have concluded, that there is a basis for initiating a criminal investigation of this matter, and I have taken steps to begin that investigation."

Mr Mukasey named John Durham, a federal prosecutor, to oversee the case. Mr Durham has a reputation as one of the most relentless US prosecutors. He served as an outside prosecutor overseeing an investigation into the FBI's use of mob informants in Boston and helped send several Connecticut public officials to prison.

A spokesman for the CIA said officials would "cooperate fully with this investigation as it has with the others into this matter".

The CIA has already agreed to open its files to congressional investigators, who have begun reviewing documents at the agency's headquarters.