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US officer cleared of Iraq abuse US officer cleared of Iraq abuse
(20 minutes later)
A US Army officer has been cleared of charges relating to abuse at Abu Ghraib prison but found guilty of disobeying an order not to discuss the case. A US Army officer has been cleared of charges relating to abuse at Abu Ghraib prison but found guilty of disobeying an order not to discuss the inquiry.
Lt-Col Steven Jordan, the only officer to be charged over the Iraq jail abuse scandal, had been accused of cruelty to detainees and dereliction of duty.Lt-Col Steven Jordan, the only officer to be charged over the Iraq jail abuse scandal, had been accused of cruelty to detainees and dereliction of duty.
The inquiry was triggered by pictures of US soldiers humiliating and abusing Iraqi prisoners in 2003 and 2004.The inquiry was triggered by pictures of US soldiers humiliating and abusing Iraqi prisoners in 2003 and 2004.
Lt-Col Jordan, 51, had pleaded innocent to all charges at his court martial.Lt-Col Jordan, 51, had pleaded innocent to all charges at his court martial.
In an interview with the Washington Post last month, Lt-Col Jordan said he was being used as a scapegoat by officials who saw him as expendable because he was a reservist. His sentencing hearing is expected to begin later on Tuesday.
'No control''No control'
Lt-Col Jordan was in charge of the Joint Interrogation and Debriefing Centre at Baghdad's Abu Ghraib prison during the second half of 2003.Lt-Col Jordan was in charge of the Joint Interrogation and Debriefing Centre at Baghdad's Abu Ghraib prison during the second half of 2003.
Abu Ghraib whistleblower He has been found guilty of disobeying an order not to discuss the investigation into the abuse scandal with others, which carries a potential penalty of five years in prison.Abu Ghraib whistleblower He has been found guilty of disobeying an order not to discuss the investigation into the abuse scandal with others, which carries a potential penalty of five years in prison.
However, he has been acquitted of illegally approving the use of nudity and dogs in interrogations of Iraqi prisoners and of dereliction of duty.However, he has been acquitted of illegally approving the use of nudity and dogs in interrogations of Iraqi prisoners and of dereliction of duty.
Lt-Col Jordan's defence argued that although he was nominally in charge of the interrogation centre, he did not have direct control over the interrogations. In closing arguments, Lt-Col Jordan's defence argued that although he was nominally in charge of the interrogation centre, he did not have direct control over the interrogations.
Two more charges against him were dismissed on a technicality when the court martial opened last week. "It is tempting to say that some officer must be held responsible. But not this officer," said defence lawyer Major Kris Poppe, quoted by AFP news agency.
"You cannot stop somebody from doing something criminal if you're not there and you don't know about it."
The prosecution contended that he had fostered a climate conducive to abuse by divorcing himself from the training and supervision of the soldiers under his command.
Two more charges against Lt-Col Jordan were dismissed on a technicality when the court martial opened last week.
Soldiers jailedSoldiers jailed
The issue of Abu Ghraib came to light in April 2004 after images emerged of US troops abusing prisoners. The footage included naked prisoners placed in humiliating positions and detainees cowering from aggressive dogs.The issue of Abu Ghraib came to light in April 2004 after images emerged of US troops abusing prisoners. The footage included naked prisoners placed in humiliating positions and detainees cowering from aggressive dogs.
Lt-Col Jordan did not appear in any of those photographs.Lt-Col Jordan did not appear in any of those photographs.
Eleven soldiers have been convicted of carrying out abuses at Abu Ghraib prison.Eleven soldiers have been convicted of carrying out abuses at Abu Ghraib prison.
They include Specialist Charles Graner Jr, who was sentenced in 2005 to 10 years in prison on counts including assault, maltreatment and indecent acts.They include Specialist Charles Graner Jr, who was sentenced in 2005 to 10 years in prison on counts including assault, maltreatment and indecent acts.
Private Lynndie England, who was photographed holding a naked Iraqi prisoner by a leash and pointing to a naked inmate's genitals, was jailed for three years in 2005.Private Lynndie England, who was photographed holding a naked Iraqi prisoner by a leash and pointing to a naked inmate's genitals, was jailed for three years in 2005.
Janis Karpinski, the prison commander in Iraq at the time of the Abu Ghraib scandal, was demoted from the rank of general but was not charged.Janis Karpinski, the prison commander in Iraq at the time of the Abu Ghraib scandal, was demoted from the rank of general but was not charged.
Critics have questioned why no-one further up the chain of command in the US military or the Bush administration has been held responsible for the abuse.