U.S. Soldiers Kill Two Prisoners At Notorious Iraqi Jail

Agence France-Presse | August 18, 2004

[HAL9000]

BAGHDAD, Aug 18 (AFP) - US soldiers killed two prisoners when a fight got out of control at Iraq's notorious Abu Ghraib prison, at the heart of a US prison abuse scandal earlier this year, the US military said.

The disturbance broke out at 5:45 am (0145 GMT) when guards saw a large group of detainees attacking a fellow inmate with rocks and tent poles before the fight swelled to more than 200 people, a statement said.

Non-lethal ammunition failed to disperse the group, so lethal force was authorized when the life of one detainee was deemed still at risk, it added.

A spokesman confirmed that US soldiers had shot dead two prisoners.

Five others were also injured, but it was not clear whether they were wounded by US gunfire or during the fight itself.

"The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation," the military said.

[Viet-Boat-Rider]

"hold your fire, hold your fire!

"But he's still moving Sir"

[randog]

Let the wailing and gnashing of teeth begin.

[theDentist]

That's the way the bullets bounce.

[Callahan]

"What does this about us???"</NYT-style navel gazing and handwringing>

Uh, it says we know how to stop a prison riot.

[cwiz24]

Here we go...let's see if Peter, Dan, and Tom will cover this as the top story tonight.

[TomGuy]

Non-lethal ammunition failed to disperse the group

This war has been allowed to be so damn PC that our troops guarding the worst of the worst prisoners are issued rubber bullets!!!!!

It is a sham and a shame!!!!

[Rakkasan1]

probably fighting over who gets to wear the panties next

[Blood of Tyrants]

Should have backed off and let them kill each other. The vast majority there are either common criminals or terrorists.

[Prost1]

Title Correction:
U.S. Soldiers save life of Iraqi prisoner.

Soldiers used rubber bullets in an attempt to quell a prison riot, but were forced to use lethal force and shoot two prisoners who were beating a fellow prisoner during Prison riot.

From being damned to being Heroes.

[jtminton]

Should have backed off and let them kill each other With 200 to 1 odds, I'd say we was probably a snitch. Maybe he'll be of some use.

[Shryke]

They should let a guy with severe muscle spasms guard the prisoners. With a tripod-mounted mini-gun. That'll keep 'em calm.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Or someone suspected of being a snitch.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

August 18, 2004
Release Number: 04-08-58


ABU GHRAIB FIGHT LEAVES TWO DETAINEES DEAD, FIVE WOUNDED

Aug. 18, 2004

BAGHDAD - A fight that broke out among detainees at the Abu Ghraib detention facility early this morning resulted in the death of two detainees, with five others wounded.

The altercation among the detainees broke out at about 5:45 a.m., when guards observed a large group of security detainees attacking another detainee using rocks and tent poles. Guards attempted to intervene with verbal warnings, but the situation continued to escalate and the number of detainees involved swelled to over 200, resulting in the use of non-lethal rounds to disperse the group.

When this failed to quell the situation and it was determined that a detainee's life was still at risk, lethal force was authorized, and the situation was brought under control.

Medical assistance was immediately provided on site and at the detention hospital. The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation.

TEXT PROVIDED BY MNF-I DETAINEE OPERATIONS PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT LTC BARRY JOHNSON AT barry.johnson@vcmain.hq.c5.army.mil , (914) 360-3495 or Iraqna 07901 92 86 58.

 

http://www.centcom.mil/CENTCOMNews/news_release.asp?NewsRelease=20040858.txt