A U.S. jury has awarded $42 million to three former detainees of Iraq's infamous Abu Ghraib prison, marking a significant moment in the pursuit of justice for victims of wartime abuses.

The plaintiffs, Suhail Al Shimari, Salah Al-Ejaili, and Asa'ad Al-Zubae, were subjected to severe mistreatment, including beatings, sexual abuse, and forced nudity, nearly two decades ago.

The case centered around the role of CACI, a Virginia-based military contractor, whose civilian interrogators were alleged to have conspired with military police to "soften up" detainees through harsh treatment.

Although the plaintiffs did not accuse CACI's employees of directly inflicting the abuse, they argued that the company was complicit in the mistreatment.

This verdict comes after a previous jury failed to reach a consensus on CACI's liability.

The recent decision sinifies ongoing debates about the accountability of private military contractors in conflict zones, particularly regarding their ethical conduct and legal responsibilities.

CACI has expressed disappointment with the verdict and plans to appeal, maintaining that no employee has been charged in connection with the events at Abu Ghraib.

The company's statement emphasized its long-standing denial of involvement, stating, "For nearly two decades, CACI has been wrongly subjected to long-term, negative affiliation with the unfortunate and reckless actions of a group of military police."