In Washington, the Pentagon revealed that four US special forces soldiers have been punished for unauthorised use of Taser electric stun guns on prisoners, after further allegations of US prisoner abuse were investigated.

Original revelations of humiliation and degradation meted out to Iraqi prisoners in US custody, which surfaced earlier this year, caused outrage across the world, not least among European opponents of the invasion.

The latest probe was conducted after Defence Intelligence Agency interrogators reported seeing prisoners with burns and bruises being brought to a temporary detention centre by members of a top secret special Task Force.

One interrogator said he saw a member of the task force punch a prisoner in the face to the point he needed medical treatment, according to a June 25, 2004 memo from DIA director Vice Admiral Lowell Jacoby made public on Tuesday. "Four individuals received administrative punishments for excessive use of force — it in particular was emphasized it was the unauthorized use of Tasers," said Pentagon spokesperson Lawrence DiRita. "Additionally all four were reassigned to other responsibilities, and two were removed from the unit," he said.

http://iafrica.com/news/worldnews/398103.htm


From:
Aftermath News
Top Stories - December 13th, 2004