One of the iconic photographs of the Abu Ghraib torture scandal shows an inmate, who became known in military investigation documents as "DETAINEE-25," covered in mud and what appears to be feces. The inmate's story is among the most tragic at Abu Ghraib. He was known by his captors to have severe mental disabilities--known to be inclined to self-abuse. His captors encouraged the acts, providing him with implements with which to abuse himself, parading him, encouraging him and photographing him.

The inmate had no value to military intelligence. His presence at Abu Ghraib was unjustified, his treatment an abject crime.