Share this story!            

Poland faces Iraq prisoner abuses

WARSAW: Poland’s defense minister on Friday expressed doubt about reports that Polish troops could have been involved in prisoner abuse. Witness statements obtained by The Associated Press suggest that troops from Poland and other countries in the US-led coalition in Iraq could be involved in abusing prisoners. “This is all some unverified leak,” Defense Minister Jerzy Szmajdzinski told Polish television Friday. “It all gives an impression of not being a serious allegation.” He said that Poland, a staunch US ally in Iraq, will ask Washington for explanations. The records of interviews by Army Criminal Investigation Division agents obtained by The Associated Press include new allegations that coalition forces had beaten prisoners before turning them over to the Americans. Sgt. Antonio Monserrate, an Army interrogator, told investigators that two detainees had been “injured by the Polish Army.” Monserrate referred to the inmates by their prison identification numbers but did not provide any further details. Polish forces operate in south-central Iraq. ap

Home | Foreign

Share this story!