CIA agents seek insurance cover

Many CIA officers involved in questioning terror suspects say they fear they could attract lawsuits.

In a reflection of their increased anxiety, many CIA veteran officers involved in counter-terror operations, have signed up for insurance policies that would help pay for their legal expenses if they are sued or charged with criminal wrongdoing, according to media reports.

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When US President George W Bush acknowledged last week about the existence of an international network of secret Central Intelligence Agency prisons where "high value" terror suspects were interrogated, officials at the agency began worrying about their futures, Newsweek magazine reported in its latest edition.

Many CIA officers involved in questioning terror suspects say they fear they could attract lawsuits if some "sensitive information" becomes public and have joined government-reimbursed insurance plans, it said.

For a 300 dollar yearly premium, Wright and Co, known worldwide as Wright Brothers, covers the legal fees for CIA employees sued in the line of duty, the magazine said.

The Washington Post said in a separate report that the White House had made it clear that the interrogation methods used by CIA agents, including temperature extremes and simulated drowning were legal.

But agents fear that they might have violated international law or domestic criminal statutes, The Post said.