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New jail opens at Abu Ghraib site | New jail opens at Abu Ghraib site |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Abu Ghraib, the Iraqi prison which became notorious for detainee abuse by US forces in 2004, is being officially re-opened in a new incarnation. | Abu Ghraib, the Iraqi prison which became notorious for detainee abuse by US forces in 2004, is being officially re-opened in a new incarnation. |
It has been handed over to the Iraqis and renamed Baghdad Central Prison. | It has been handed over to the Iraqis and renamed Baghdad Central Prison. |
The site has been extensively renovated, with upgraded facilities and amenities, including a hospital, rest rooms and visiting rooms. | The site has been extensively renovated, with upgraded facilities and amenities, including a hospital, rest rooms and visiting rooms. |
Work is continuing on the prison, which will eventually be the city's main jail, holding about 12,000 inmates. | Work is continuing on the prison, which will eventually be the city's main jail, holding about 12,000 inmates. |
Initially, only one of its four sections will be used. | Initially, only one of its four sections will be used. |
There are already about 300 prisoners there to test it out and, once the prison has been officially inaugurated, that figure will rise to 3,500. | There are already about 300 prisoners there to test it out and, once the prison has been officially inaugurated, that figure will rise to 3,500. |
Torture allegations | Torture allegations |
Along with the change of name, the Iraqi justice ministry is trying to change both image and reality, billing it as a model prison, open to random inspection by the Red Cross and other humanitarian organisations. | Along with the change of name, the Iraqi justice ministry is trying to change both image and reality, billing it as a model prison, open to random inspection by the Red Cross and other humanitarian organisations. |
The Americans are still holding more than 14,000 Iraqi detainees in other facilities, in conditions that have been radically revised since the Abu Ghraib scandal. | |
Under the new status of forces agreement with Iraq, the prisoners are being released at a rate of about 50 a day. | Under the new status of forces agreement with Iraq, the prisoners are being released at a rate of about 50 a day. |
Those against whom there are pending charges will be handed over to the Iraqis as the Americans withdraw. | Those against whom there are pending charges will be handed over to the Iraqis as the Americans withdraw. |
There is much concern over the conditions in some Iraqi jails, where there is acute overcrowding and allegations of abuse and torture. | There is much concern over the conditions in some Iraqi jails, where there is acute overcrowding and allegations of abuse and torture. |
American officials say the detainees they hand over are only going to prisons run by the justice ministry and which are up to international standards. | American officials say the detainees they hand over are only going to prisons run by the justice ministry and which are up to international standards. |
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