Oregon Department of Justice

Statement of Attorney General Kroger:

"I commend U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder's decision to investigate potential criminal violations committed during C.I.A. interrogations.

President Obama is correct that we need to move forward, but the U.S. Department of Justice cannot close its eyes and ignore potential violations of human rights and the rule of law.

The report released this week documents unacceptable actions by Central Intelligence Agency operatives, including mock executions and threats of violence against detainees' family members. These issues must be investigated thoroughly and professionally.

Attorney General Holder is to be commended for taking this important step."

John Kroger serves at the Attorney General of Oregon. As an Assistant U.S. Attorney, Kroger prosecuted mobsters, drug kingpins and crooked Enron executives. He also was a member of the U.S. Department of Justice emergency response team formed in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Attorney General John Kroger leads the Oregon Department of Justice. The Department's mission is to fight crime and fraud, protect the environment, improve child welfare, and defend the rights of all Oregonians.