68 592 FEDERAL SUPPLEMENT, 2d SERIES 67. When they learned that they had been discredited by the displaying of an obscene gesture in their propaganda photographs, the North Korean captors were enraged. Commencing in early December, they began a campaign of beatings, harassment, and interrogations so intense and concentrated that the hostages referred to it as ‘‘Hell Week.’’ Ex. 15 at 156, ¶ 502. Hell Week actually lasted about two weeks. See Ex. 15 at 156, ¶ 502; Tr. 108– 112, April 21, 2008. 68. During Hell Week, the hostages were forced into rooms of 16 men per room. See Tr. 108, April 22, 2008; Tr. 58, April 22, 2008. They were subjected to cold temperatures, open doors, constant surveillance, lights on at night, sleep deprivation, and a more rigid enforcement of all rules. They were required to sit in a chair at all times with their heads bowed unless they had specific permission to do otherwise. See Ex. 15 at 156, ¶ 503. 69. The hostages were subjected to even more mental anguish as they thought they were going to be killed because they had served their purpose as propaganda puppets. Because of the crowded conditions, they would bump into each other’s beds, which further aggravated the mental state of the hostages and prevented them from sleeping. See Tr. 59–60, April 22, 2008. 70. The hostages were savagely beaten by their captors for several hours at a time during the two weeks of Hell Week and were subjected to other harsh treatment to get them to disclose the identity of the instigators of the Hawaiian Good Luck Sign deception. See Ex. 15 at 156, ¶¶ 503– 04; Tr. 108–112, April 21, 2008. 71. During Hell Week, the guards repeatedly jumped on Tuck’s back after he was forced to the floor. He was also forced to hold up a chair while the guards beat him in the stomach and back. When he dropped the chair, the guards beat him with it until it broke. They then used broomsticks as a substitute. The beatings ranged from karate chops to rifle butts to kicks to the groin. See Tr. 58–59, April 22, 2008. 72. Like most other hostages, Massie was dragged out of his room and beaten with weapons ranging from belts, boards, boots and buckles. He had his arms pulled back and a two-by-four placed though them. He was then beaten in the stomach and kicked on his shoulders and arms. He also had to hold a chair over his head until he couldn’t hold it any more. Then he was kicked. See Tr. 109, April 21, 2008. The hostages were beaten so badly that the torture rooms were covered in blood. Each succeeding hostage was forced to clean up the blood of the preceding hostage before having their own blood spread over the walls and floor for the next hostage to clean up. See id. at 108. 73. The beatings came to an abrupt halt in mid-December. On December 19, Glorious General met with the hostages and restored their basic privileges. The hostages were given one more opportunity to repent, be sincere, and write a new confession. Wounds were treated and the hostages were given hard boiled eggs to roll on their bloodshot eyes to break up the clots caused by the beatings. Because of his extreme hunger, Tuck ate his egg. Tr. 62, April 22, 2008. On December 22, Glorious General advised the hostages that the United States was apologizing. See Tr. 113, April 21, 2008; Tr. 61–62, April 22, 2008. 74. Shortly thereafter, a new set of clothes was distributed to the hostages. See Tr. 118, April 21, 2008; Tr. 62, April 22, 2008. 75. This was followed by a night train ride to Kaesong, and then by bus to the