Prison Investigations Moved Swiftly, Officials Say
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, May 3, 2004 – Once military authorities received information about
possible prisoner abuse at Abu Ghraib prison outside Baghdad, investigations
moved swiftly, Defense Department officials said today.
A soldier, disturbed by the goings-on at the prison, went to officials with his
allegations Jan. 13. The next day, Army Lt. Gen. Ricardo S. Sanchez, commander
of Combined Joint Task Force 7, launched a criminal investigation.
The criminal investigation has resulted in the Army charging six soldiers from
the 800th Military Police Brigade with a variety of offenses. The soldiers still
are serving in Iraq – although not as military police – and will remain there
until the investigations are complete. The offenses against them include
conspiracy, dereliction of duty, cruelty and maltreatment, assault, and
indecent acts with another.
There are four other investigations into the "heinous" acts that allegedly took
place in the prison, said a senior defense official on background.
A second investigation, recently completed by Army Maj. Gen. Antonio M. Taguba,
looked into procedures used at the prison. Taguba is the deputy commanding
general for support at the 3rd Army, Fort McPherson, Ga. While classified, that
investigation is "damning," said one official. Six noncommissioned and
commissioned officers have received letters of reprimand following that
investigation.
The Army inspector general's office has launched a third investigation, which
began in February. That group will look at "detention operations around the
world" to ensure humane, normal policies are being followed.
Lt. Gen. James R. Helmly, chief of the Army Reserve, ordered a fourth
investigation to assess the state of training of Army Reserve units. The 800th
is an Army Reserve unit based at Fort Totten, N.Y.
A final investigation is looking into the possible involvement of military
intelligence personnel in the abuse. Army Maj. Gen. George Fay, the service's
deputy chief of staff for intelligence, is leading that inquiry.
Biographies:
Lt. Gen. Ricardo
S. Sanchez
Lt. Gen. James R.
Helmly
Maj. Gen. Antonio
M. Taguba
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