Ex-prisoners tells of more abuses

May 10, 2004

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A US resident who was held prisoner in another detention centre in Iraq last year said prisoners there were also beaten and sexually humiliated.

Hossam Shaltout said widespread mistreatment by soldiers in Camp Bucca detention centre in southern Iraq was as inhumane as that depicted in recent photos from Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq.

He described Camp Bucca as a "torture camp," where soldiers beat and humiliated prisoners - including having them lie naked atop each other or pose in sexual positions.

Shaltout said he saw soldiers tie groups of naked prisoners together. He said they hogtied his hands and legs and placed scorpions on his body.

"American soldiers love scorpions," Shaltout said in a telephone interview from Saudi Arabia that was arranged by his American lawyer.

Shaltout, a native Egyptian, said he's a Canadian citizen and permanent US resident but hasn't been allowed to return to the United States. He's now living in Saudi Arabia and is seeking $US350,000 ($A485,874) from the government through the US Army Claims Service for "torture and other personal injuries" while at Camp Bucca.

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http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/05/08/1083911446364.html

Unreal.

sanctioned at the highest levels of government? . . . I don't . . .

Since he is actually bringing suit, they will say he is just in it for the money. Sounds like he can name names, though, which will make the suit extremely interesting.

On edit - I mean this could include testimony under oath in an American courtroom about these matters.