U.S.: Iraqi Prisoners May Still Be Held Without Charge

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Some prisoners held indefinitely without charge by U.S. forces in Iraq may not be freed or given trials, even though U.S. forces lost the authority to hold them at the beginning of this year, a U.S. military spokesman said.

Iraqi legal experts said the plans -- which would apply to prisoners U.S. forces believe are dangerous or of intelligence value but have not been charged with a crime -- might violate Iraqi law by placing detainees beyond the reach of the courts.

U.S. forces are holding 15,000 prisoners, most of whom have been detained without charge under the authority of a U.N. Security Council resolution which expired on December 31.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[formerprosecutor]

This is unacceptable. How can we lead the world toward our brand of Democracy and ignore the rules of law (?). This is especially hypcritical since we now are able to prosecute our own citizens for their behavior in other countries, if the act is illegal here, even if it isn't in the country in which they performed the act.

This is really bad political Karma. And dangerous for our citizens. We can no longer argue "legal process" when our citizens are held wihtout charges or trial.

This is just atrocious. Our founding fathers are rolling over (again)

[trudem2]

How do we go about breaking laws, ignoring laws whenever we like and then hold ourselves up as the country built on the rule of law? This does not make me proud.

[dfranz]

The country's moral erosion continues..

I am embarrassed by this as an Army combat veteran. There is a new sheriff in town. Things will change.

[tony turan]

Just get the hell out of Iraq and prosecute the pro-Israel ideologues{neo-cons}, that's why people voted for Obams,,no more bs excuses,,

[indyleftist]

If there are no charges then they have not been imprisoned
They have been kidnapped

[formerprosecutor]

Yep; and the Agency knows that Panetta will look long and hard at conduct like this; the carte blanche is over

[Whinger]

Internment without trial, the world has seen it all before, counter productive and totally uncivilized.

[Strywever]

So we don't *really* believe in democracy or the rule of law . . . did I get that right?

[TDotO]

kk

[Fein]

Although it seem like 'indefinately' it's only a few weeks before Neocon facism falls on it's face.

Too bad they didn't erect a statue to Bush/Cheney so we could tear it down.

[StillAmused]

Guess that, since some of these prisoners cost us a bundle in bribes and bounties, there's a natural reluctance to just let 'em go.

A remarkable merry-go-round... WE invade, create an insurgency, then hold captured insurgents indefinitely -- without trial -- to secure critical "intelligence", namely, that WE invaded and THEY'RE pissed.

[instagladiator]

These "phantom" t.e.r.r.i.o.r.i.s.t.s. were probably paid a couple hundred dollars to join the insurgency, not realizing that "they" were the guinea pigs to be held up in front of the world (for show & tell)?
Another myth, just like Al Qaeda.

[worldwithoutus]

what?maybe the world trade center is still there then.

[rabiddog6708]

This is so wrong. 15,000 prisoners, most being held without charge or legal recourse. You can't tell me that every one of these priosners are guilty. Put them on trial or set them free. This is how America has done things since the country was founded (Lincoln suspended habeas corpus during Civil War and he was wrong too). This is a blight on our country.