Iraq closes notorious Abu Ghraib prison because of security concerns

http://www.latimes.com/world/worldnow/la-fg-wn-abu-ghraib-iraq-20140415,0,7417096.story



Prisoners wait to be processed for release from Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq in 2004.

Iraq closes notorious Abu Ghraib prison because of security concerns
By Sherif Tarek
April 15, 2014, 5:51 p.m.

Iraq’s Ministry of Justice announced Tuesday that it would close the facility formerly known as Abu Ghraib prison, the site of an infamous torture scandal under the U.S. occupation.

“The ministry made that decision as part of precautionary measures related to the security of the prisons,” said Justice Minister Hassan Shammari. He did not clarify whether the shutdown is permanent.

Shammari explained that the location of the facility, on the edge of insurgent-dominated areas of Anbar province, west of central Baghdad, has become a “hot spot.”

Islamic militants have been targeting officials from the Shiite-led government and seizing control of parts of Anbar province, which is controlled by Sunni rebels. Iraq’s electoral commission said last week that there will be no voting in the areas of Anbar where security operations are underway.