This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/6594937.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| US prison chief arrested in Iraq | US prison chief arrested in Iraq |
| (1 day later) | |
| The commander of a major US military prison in Iraq has been arrested for offences including aiding the enemy. | The commander of a major US military prison in Iraq has been arrested for offences including aiding the enemy. |
| Lt Col William Steele is accused of giving detainees free use of a mobile phone at Camp Cropper and fraternising with the daughter of a detainee. | Lt Col William Steele is accused of giving detainees free use of a mobile phone at Camp Cropper and fraternising with the daughter of a detainee. |
| It is the latest of several scandals involving US jails in Iraq, the worst being the 2003 Abu Ghraib abuse case. | It is the latest of several scandals involving US jails in Iraq, the worst being the 2003 Abu Ghraib abuse case. |
| Col Steele is also accused of improper behaviour with his Iraqi interpreter and holding unauthorised information. | Col Steele is also accused of improper behaviour with his Iraqi interpreter and holding unauthorised information. |
| There are four overall charges against Col Steele and nine specific alleged offences. He was arrested last month and is being detained in Kuwait, a US military spokeswoman said. | There are four overall charges against Col Steele and nine specific alleged offences. He was arrested last month and is being detained in Kuwait, a US military spokeswoman said. |
| CHARGES AGAINST COL STEELE Providing unmonitored mobile phone to detaineesMishandling classified informationFraternising with detainee's daughterInappropriate relationship with interpreter and providing her special privilegesFailing to obey a lawful orderPossessing pornographic videosFailing obligations as approving authority for expenditure Others offences include dereliction in the performance of his duties, failing to obey an order and wrongfully possessing pornographic videos. | CHARGES AGAINST COL STEELE Providing unmonitored mobile phone to detaineesMishandling classified informationFraternising with detainee's daughterInappropriate relationship with interpreter and providing her special privilegesFailing to obey a lawful orderPossessing pornographic videosFailing obligations as approving authority for expenditure Others offences include dereliction in the performance of his duties, failing to obey an order and wrongfully possessing pornographic videos. |
| The alleged offences took place between October 2005 and February 2007, a US statement said. Col Steele was arrested in March. | The alleged offences took place between October 2005 and February 2007, a US statement said. Col Steele was arrested in March. |
| "His current status is that he is in confinement and waiting for his Article 32 hearing," the spokeswoman said. | "His current status is that he is in confinement and waiting for his Article 32 hearing," the spokeswoman said. |
| The hearing would be conducted by a panel of military officers who are to decide whether the suspect should face charges. | |
| Criticism | Criticism |
| Camp Cropper, in the west of the Iraqi capital close to Baghdad International Airport, is believed to hold about 3,300 Iraqi prisoners. | Camp Cropper, in the west of the Iraqi capital close to Baghdad International Airport, is believed to hold about 3,300 Iraqi prisoners. |
| It is the second largest US military jail in Iraq, the other being Camp Bucca, near Umm Qasr in the south of the country, which holds an estimated 15,000 detainees. | It is the second largest US military jail in Iraq, the other being Camp Bucca, near Umm Qasr in the south of the country, which holds an estimated 15,000 detainees. |
| Executed former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein spent time there, including for medical treatment, although the US military says he was never under Col Steele's responsibility. | Executed former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein spent time there, including for medical treatment, although the US military says he was never under Col Steele's responsibility. |
| US detention facilities in Iraq have been the target of sustained criticism for holding detainees without charge and for widespread abuse of prisoners. | US detention facilities in Iraq have been the target of sustained criticism for holding detainees without charge and for widespread abuse of prisoners. |
| The worst controversy was in the first year of the US occupation of Iraq, when it was revealed that guards abused prisoners at the notorious Abu Ghraib prison on the outskirts of Baghdad. | The worst controversy was in the first year of the US occupation of Iraq, when it was revealed that guards abused prisoners at the notorious Abu Ghraib prison on the outskirts of Baghdad. |