Former POW in Iraq wins judgement against Iraq

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- An Oklahoma native who was tortured as a P-O-W in the 1991 Gulf War has won a $51-million judgment against the Iraqi government. <br><br>The judgment was part of a judge's ruling

Wednesday, July 9th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- An Oklahoma native who was tortured as a P-O-W in the 1991 Gulf War has won a $51-million judgment against the Iraqi government.

The judgment was part of a judge's ruling that Iraq must pay nearly $1-billion to 17 former prisoners of war and their families.

US District Judge Richard W. Roberts made the ruling in Washington DC.

He says the former POWs proved they were tortured by the Iraqi government of former President Saddam Hussein.

The judge says a foreign state has no immunity from lawsuits seeking monetary damages for torture if it was designated as a state sponsor of terrorism at the time of the torture.

Cleveland, Oklahoma, native M. Craig Berryman was awarded $33-million in compensatory damages. The Marine lieutenant colonel's share of the punitive damages is $18-million.

Berryman's wife was awarded $10-million.