Wednesday, August 10, 2005

Lack of Abu Ghraib abuse charges queried

Lack of Abu Ghraib abuse charges queried

WASHINGTON, DC, United States (UPI) -- Human rights groups are questioning why no civilian contractors have been charged with abuses at Baghdad`s Abu Ghraib prison.

A Pentagon investigation last year said \"several of the alleged perpetrators of the abuse of detainees\" were private contractors, but noted they may not be subject to criminal prosecution because of the legal vacuum created during the U.S. administration of Iraq.

The study covers the period from the start of May 2003 to the end of October 2004, and acknowledges employees of private contractors were directly involved in interrogating Iraqi detainees, the Financial Times reported.

\"To date, no charges have been filed, however the cases remain under active investigation by the (Department of Justice),\" the report said.

Six U.S. soldiers have pleaded guilty to abuse, and two others have been convicted at courts-martial.

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