CIA Contractor Facing Charges Says He's a Scapegoat For Abu Ghraib Scandal

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (AP) - The former CIA contractor charged with beating a prisoner in Afghanistan who later died says he was made a scapegoat as the U.S. military tries to save face following the scandals at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq.

David Passaro, facing four counts of assault, denied he played any role in the death of the Afghan prisoner, who was suspected of being a terrorist.

"After Abu Ghraib, the U.S. was going to take a stand on the issue. There had to be someone on the blame line, and it's not going to be the military," Passaro told The Fayetteville Observer in his first interview since his arrest last year.

Military police guarding Iraqi detainees at Abu Ghraib have been charged with abusing and humiliating them. The alleged ringleader, Army Reserve Spc. Charles Graner Jr., was convicted and sentenced to 10 years in prison. Others still face charges.

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