Ex-Reservist Details Iraqi Prison Abuse

[floda]

Ex-Reservist Details Iraqi Prison Abuse
Hagerstown Man's Statement to Superiors Blames Military Intelligence Personnel

By Elizabeth Williamson
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, August 7, 2004; Page A04


HAGERSTOWN, Md., Aug. 6 -- A former Army reservist who served with the 372nd Military Police Company in Abu Ghraib prison near Baghdad provided a detailed account Friday of Iraqi prisoner abuse that he says was directed and encouraged by military intelligence officers.

Kenneth Davis, 33, who held the rank of sergeant until he left the military last month, said he went to superiors to describe the abuse he saw and gave a statement to Army investigators implicating military intelligence personnel. So far, none has been charged in connection with the scandal for which seven soldiers from the 372nd, based in Cresaptown, Md., are being held responsible. He said that he has not been asked to testify for or against the accused soldiers.

"I believe the truth needs to be known here," Davis said in a lengthy interview at his Hagerstown home Friday. "These soldiers were led down a path, and whoever led them down that path is a culprit as well."

Davis's statements contradict testimony presented this week in a preliminary court hearing for Pfc. Lynndie R. England, 21, who is charged with abusing detainees at Abu Ghraib last year. On Thursday, Capt. Carolyn A. Wood, a top military intelligence commander who worked at the prison, said her unit did not encourage physical abuse or sexual humiliation of prisoners.

more...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A46642-2004Aug6.html

[oostevo]

1. Finally ...

I was beginning to worry that everyone who witnessed the commanders there ordering ('suggesting') this behavior had gotten cold feet. It rather makes sense that the witnesses would want to get out of the military before testifying, but still ... three cheer's for this seargent's bravery.