Death of Afghan Farmer Abdul Wali in U.S. Custody

Death of Afghan Farmer Abdul Wali in U.S. Custody

Abdul Wali was a 28-year-old Afghan farmer from Kunar Province, Afghanistan. In June 2003, Wali voluntarily surrendered to U.S. forces near Asadabad after being advised by a local governor to clear his name of alleged involvement in a rocket attack on a U.S. base. He was taken into custody for questioning.

During his detention, David Passaro, a CIA contractor and former U.S. Army Ranger, interrogated Wali. Testimony from U.S. soldiers stated that Wali was subjected to physical beatings, denied sleep, and had limited access to food and water over two nights. Wali sustained severe injuries, including a suspected fractured pelvis, and repeatedly denied involvement in the alleged attack.

On 21 June 2003, Abdul Wali died while in U.S. custody. The cause of death was initially reported as a heart attack, but investigations and testimony linked his death to the injuries sustained during interrogations. This incident marked the first prosecution of a CIA contractor for detainee abuse in Afghanistan.

David Passaro was charged in U.S. federal court with assault resulting in serious bodily injury and other assault charges. In 2006, he was convicted of one count of felony assault resulting in serious bodily injury and three counts of simple assault. He was sentenced to 8 years and 4 months in prison, later reduced to 6 years and 8 months on appeal, and was released in 2011.