'No evidence' of Guantanamo abuse

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An investigation has found no evidence of mistreatment at Guantanamo Bay after some guards allegedly bragged about beating detainees, the US army says.

Col Richard Basset, whose findings were approved by the head of US Southern Command, did not recommend action against the alleged abusers.

The inquiry began in October after a Marine sergeant claimed "striking detainees was a common practice".

Sgt Heather Cerveny said she had heard a detainee's head slammed into a door.

"The evidence did not support any of the allegations of mistreatment or harassment," a statement from Southern Command said according to the Associated Press news agency.

Col Bassett carried out 20 interviews with suspects and witnesses, but not with detainees, the Southern Command said, according to AP.

"He talked to all the parties he felt he needed to get information about the allegations that were made," a Southern Command spokesman told AP.

Sgt Cerveny said five navy guards described in detail how they beat up detainees.

"The one sailor specifically said 'I took the detainee by the head and smashed his head into the cell door'," she said in an affidavit filed in October.