London Telegraph: Banned Abu Ghraib Abuse Photos Show Rape

The London Telegraph, which already published abuse photos, is now reporting that censored photos include images or rape and sexual abuse.

At least one picture shows an American soldier apparently raping a female prisoner while another is said to show a male translator raping a male detainee.

Further photographs are said to depict sexual assaults on prisoners with objects including a truncheon, wire and a phosphorescent tube

Another apparently shows a female prisoner having her clothing forcibly removed to expose her breasts.

The paper quotes Major General Antonio Taguba, who conducted an inquiry into Abu Ghraib.  Taguba revealed incidences of rape and sexual abuse in a 2004 report, but only now does he confirm that photos exist.  The former army officer agrees with Obama’s decision not to release the pictures. Thirteen detainees took part in his inquiry and Taguba said he found their statements “credible” based on their clarity “and supporting evidence provided by other witnesses.”

Among the graphic statements, which were later released under US freedom of information laws, is that of Kasim Mehaddi Hilas in which he says: “I saw [name of a translator] ******* a kid, his age would be about 15 to 18 years. The kid was hurting very bad and they covered all the doors with sheets. Then when I heard screaming I climbed the door because on top it wasn’t covered and I saw [name] who was wearing the military uniform, putting his **** in the little kid’s ***…. and the female soldier was taking pictures.”

[…]

Three detainees, including the alleged victim, refer to the use of a phosphorescent tube in the sexual abuse and another to the use of wire, while the victim also refers to part of a policeman’s “stick” all of which were apparently photographed.

Taguba was ordered to retire at the beginning of 2007 after a 34 year military career, with no explanation.  The Pentagon is denying the report, saying the Telegraph got the story wrong, stating, “None of the photos in question depict the images that are described in that article.” The Pentagon hasn’t denied the veracity of images like the one below, showing Iraq prison abuse.

By: Alan

Alan Colmes is the publisher of Liberaland.