Iraq prison abuse: Soldier in court
A US soldier charged with abusing Iraqis at Abu Ghraib prison appeared in court today.
Heavily pregnant Army Reserve Pfc Lynndie England answered “Yes, ma’am” when the presiding judge, Colonel Denise Arn, asked if she understood her rights and “No, ma’am” when she was asked if she had any questions at the brief hearing in Fort Bragg. North Carolina.
England, 21, is charged with abusing prisoners, disobeying an order and indecent acts. Six charges added last week stem from “the creation and possession of sexually explicit photographs”. Army officials have said the latest photographs do not involve Iraqi prisoners.
The maximum total sentence is 38 years in prison.
Photos taken at the Abu Ghraib prison that were made public in May show the Army reservist smiling and pointing at naked detainees, flashing a thumbs-up and, in one shot, holding a detainee on a dog leash.
The photos caused widespread outrage, particularly in the Arab world. But England’s lawyers have said she was following orders from higher-ups.
Her lawyers have said their possible witnesses would include Vice President Dick Cheney and Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, along with top US generals.
The next hearing, scheduled for August 3, will determine whether England faces a court martial, at which witnesses are to be called and evidence presented.
England, a support specialist, is one of six soldiers charged in connection with the Abu Ghraib scandal. A seventh, Jeremy Sivits, has already pleaded guilty and been sentenced to a year in prison. All seven soldiers are from the 372nd Military Police Company, an Army Reserve unit.
Charles Graner, 35, another soldier in England’s unit, has also been charged with abuse and was involved in a romantic relationship with England.
He also faces adultery charges for allegedly having sex with England last October.
England was visibly pregnant in court today, and her lawyers have said the child is Graner’s.
Since being brought back to the United States, England has been assigned to a desk job at a military police brigade office at Fort Bragg.
