Allegations of Mistreatment of Prisoners in Iraq and Afghanistan Under Investigation

U.S. military officials are investigating at least 20 cases of prisoner mistreatment in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is believed that at least 10 of these cases have resulted in the deaths of prisoners. The U.S. military states that a total of 35 allegations of prisoner mistreatment in Iraq and Afghanistan have been under investigation since December 2002. Of these incidents, 25 relate to prisoner deaths, with 12 cases attributed to natural causes. According to U.S. military officials, two other cases of Iraqi prisoner deaths were due to homicide. Other cases are still under investigation, with three being handled by the CIA's Inspector General. One of the cases the CIA is investigating pertains to the death of a prisoner at Abu Ghraib prison in Baghdad. The second case involves another prison in Iraq. The third death, which the military's investigation considers a homicide, occurred in Afghanistan and involved a CIA contractor. Meanwhile, General George Casey, Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, stated on Tuesday that the actions taken at Abu Ghraib prison by U.S. military personnel reflect a complete breakdown of discipline. In another development, Donald Rumsfeld, U.S. Secretary of Defense, is set to appear before Congress to explain reports of American soldiers' mistreatment of prisoners at Abu Ghraib. Rumsfeld's testimony coincides with extensive investigations by U.S. officials regarding prison management operations in Iraq. At least one U.S. senator, Joseph Biden, has stated that if the Secretary of Defense was aware of reports regarding American soldiers' mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners, he should resign. On Wednesday, President Bush expressed his support for Rumsfeld and vowed to hold accountable those responsible for mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners, stating that the behavior of Iraqi soldiers towards Iraqi prisoners is disgusting.