Iraq closes secret prison, arrests 3 officers

Source: Reuters

BAGHDAD, April 23 (Reuters) - Iraqi authorities have closed down a secret prison where over 400 mainly Sunni prisoners were held without trial, and arrested three officers of the military unit that ran it, an official said on Friday.

The unit that operated the detention centre reported directly to the office of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, a Shi'ite Muslim, but officials denied any connection to or knowledge of the facility in Maliki's inner circle.

"The three officers were detained for interrogation," Kamil Ameen, a spokesman for Iraq's human rights ministry, told Reuters. "What matters to us is that the prison has been closed and it is now part of the past."

The closure of the secret jail comes at a sensitive time for Maliki, who is fighting to hold onto his position as prime minister following an inconclusive general election in March.

Read more: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/LDE63M0W8.htm

Perhaps these prisoners were just forgotten about during the liberation celebrations.

There must have been a pause during the dancing in the street and throwing of flowers for someone to remember to let them out...

I'm trying to stay Peace-full m'Self..
sad/anxious for all concerned.
it's BEEN volatile, constantly.
It just doesn't get mentioned in the evening news,much.
Sure appreciate the Magic of innernets, so We can FIND news/facts,
& appreciate those like YOU, Sabra, who never forget:
"there's bad war going on.
People need to know this..".

Thanks, Sabra, for posting this.