Criminal charges over prisoner abuse

cctv.com 05-20-2004 08:41

More criminal charges may be brought against US soldiers in the Iraqi prisoner abuse scandal. This was indicated at Wednesday's hearing where Jeremy Sivits was sentenced to a maximum of one year in prison, a reduction in rank, and a bad conduct discharge for his part in the abuse at Abu Grahib.

In testimony before the committee, Ricardo Sanchez, the top military command in Iraq, said the abuse of prisoners in Iraq would be investigated thoroughly up the chain of command and he said that included himself.

Lt. Gen Ricardo Sanchez said, "We have already initiated courts martial in seven cases, and there may well be more prosecutions. The Army criminal investigative division's investigation is not final and the investigation of military intelligence procedures by Major General Faye is also ongoing. "

Army General John Abizaid, who is responsible for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, said the Army has investigated 75 cases of abuse of prisoners in Iraq and Afghanistan since late 2002.

But they insisted prisoner abuse was neither widespread nor endorsed by officials. Head of Central Command Gen. John Abizaid said, "Things don't have to go all the way to the top to be approved. We know what's wrong and we know what's right."

Sivists' court-martial was the first in the wake of the scandal that has shaken the Bush administration and coincided with erosion in public support for the war.

In addition to Sivits, six enlisted men and women from a reserve military police company based near Cumberland, Maryland, face charges.

Arab television stations appeared deeply skeptical of the proceedings in the courtroom at the Baghdad Convention Center, with reporters questioning why cameras were barred from the courtroom.

Others demanded that higher-ranking American officials be punished.

Editor:Zhang  Source:CCTV.com