May 23, 2004

Responsibility for Abu Ghraib keeps migrating upward.

The Washington Post says that the top US general in Iraq may have been present during some of the interrogations at Abu Ghraib where torture allegedly occurred.

The Post based its reports on a tape of military hearing in which the attorney for one of the soldiers charged with abusing Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib said that his client identified an officer who told him that Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez was present for some 'interrogations and/or allegations of the prisoner abuse.' The attorney says that the officer, Captain Donald Reese, is prepared to testify in exchange for immunity.

"Are you saying that Captain Reese is going to testify that General Sanchez was there and saw this going on?" The Post quoted Captain John McCabe, the prosecutor, as saying.

"That's what he told me," Shuck is said to have responded.

"I am an officer of the court, sir, and I would not lie. I have got two children at home. I'm not going to risk my career."

Via AFP.

More: The AP reports the expected Pentagon denial that Lt. Gen. Sanchez was present. We'll have to see whether the denial holds up.

Posted by Magpie at May 23, 2004 06:59 AM | Iraq | Technorati links |
Comments

Well, let's hope for once that $hit does flow uphill. It would be unacceptable to punish only a "few bad apples" when it's the tree that's rotten.

Posted by: Ron In Portland at May 23, 2004 04:38 PM