Lone US military officer goes on trial for Abu Ghraib abuse

Source: AFP

Lieutenant Colonel Steven Jordan, the only military officer charged in the prisoner abuse scandal at Baghdad's Abu Ghraib jail, goes before a court martial Monday in Fort Meade, Maryland. . .

At Abu Ghraib he was officially responsible for the interrogation center, but due to his lack of experience he devoted his time to trying to improve conditions for the soldiers posted in the prison who felt they had been abandoned as cannon fodder. The army reservist who specialised in analysing intelligence, not gathering it, did not supervise interrogations, allowing the abuse to flourish among his badly-stretched staff who were under constant pressure to produce results.

He is charged with obstructing justice, failing in his duties, lying to investigators and of conduct unbecoming an officer. He faces a maximum of 16 and a half years in prison. The court martial is expected to last two weeks. . .



Jordan's case has drawn little attention by US media, which in just a few articles describe him as a scapegoat in the scandal. Only 20 reporters have signed on to cover his court martial. Even civil rights groups are keeping a low profile.





Read more: http://news.brisbanetimes.com.au/lone-us-military-officer-goes-on-trial-for-abu-ghraib-abuse/20072919-u4s.html