Foreigners detained as part of the investigation into the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States were held too long without being charged and subjected to "unduly harsh" conditions of confinement, a Justice Department audit showed Monday.
Some detainees were locked up almost continuously, were moved around in handcuffs and leg irons, subjected to abuse and had their cell lights kept on day and night.
"Even in the chaotic aftermath of the September 11 attacks, we believe the FBI should have taken more care to distinguish between aliens who it actually suspected of having a connection to terrorism from those aliens who, while possibly guilty of violating federal immigration law, had no connection to terrorism," Fine said.
