CIA trapped by 'torture' scandal

In the United States CIA staff are under investigation into the destruction of videotapes, showing the interrogation of suspected terrorists. Officials have been called on to testify into a possible cover-up of an interrogation.

The CIA's disclosure last week that it had made and destroyed the tapes outraged members of Congress.

Many said the agency had failed to keep them abreast of their activities.

The CIA’s Director General Michael Hayden was questioned over the issue earlier this week. He acknowledged that at the time of the destruction, the agency could have done more to keep the House Intelligence Committee informed.

The tapes were made to document how CIA officials were using harsh questioning techniques recently approved by the White House to force prisoners to talk.

Congress said Hayden's questioning was the first step in what looks like a long-term investigation.

RT military analyst Evgeny Khrushchev believes the case will have serious consequences for the United States.

“There are several consequences to expect – political fallout and undermined credibility of U.S. intelligence community. And overall, this will be another blow to the credibility of the United States both at home and especially abroad. It will be much more difficult for the State Department to lecture about the human rights,” he said.