Justice Department advises pursuing CIA abuses | Politics | Reuters

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Justice Department advises pursuing CIA abuses

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Justice Department officials have urged President Barack Obama to reinvestigate CIA prisoner abuse cases, raising the prospect of a damaging political sideshow as Obama seeks to focus on healthcare and climate change.

The department's ethics watchdog has recommended considering prosecuting Central Intelligence Agency employees or contractors for harsh interrogations in Iraq and Afghanistan that went beyond approved limits, a government official said.

The development came as the Justice Department prepares to release a long-awaited CIA inspector general report that will offer new details of prisoner abuse, such as coercing terrorism suspects to confess after threats of bodily harm.

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder is also expected to decide soon whether to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate the allegations of abuse, including death threats.

All together, those looming decisions coupled with the gory ...

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http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSTRE57N2X020090824