Camp Bucca detainee abuse hearing to begin

[unhappycamper]

Camp Bucca detainee abuse hearing to begin
By Andrew Tilghman - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Nov 11, 2008 17:54:11 EST

A chief petty officer will face an article 32 hearing Wednesday on allegations of mistreating detainees at Camp Bucca, Iraq, in May.

The chief, an unnamed aviation structural mechanic, is charged with conspiracy, cruelty and maltreatment and making false official statements, Navy records show.

The hearing is scheduled to last four days at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla. An article 32 is the military equivalent of a civilian grand jury inquiry to determine whether there is enough evidence to take the case to trial.

The hearing suggests Navy officials believe the case may warrant a general court-martial, with felony-level charges carrying more than a year in the brig and a dishonorable discharge.

In related cases, four enlisted sailors also will be arraigned in Jacksonville on Wednesday on charges related to the detainee abuse in May. The four — a boatswain’s mate second class, an aviation ordnanceman second class, a machinist’s mate second class and a damage controlman second class — are facing charges of assault, conspiracy, cruelty and maltreatment and making false official statements, Navy records show.


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/11/navy_detainee_abuse_111108w/%2e