Abuse discovered at Iraq detention center
(AP)
Updated: 2005-12-12 17:17

Iraqi and U.S. military officials say an inspection of an overcrowded detention center run by the Interior Ministry discovered 13 prisoners who required medical treatment, the victims of apparent abuse.

A statement by the Iraqi Human Rights Ministry added that an investigating judge ordered the immediate release of 56 people from the Baghdad facility after the inspection on Dec. 8.

The revelation could affect Thursday's general elections by reinforcing criticism of Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari's Shiite-dominated government. Opposition parties and Sunni Arab groups have accused the government and the Shiite-dominated security forces of human rights abuses.

Last month, U.S. troops found up to 173 malnourished Iraqi detainees at a building belonging to the Shiite-led Interior Ministry in Baghdad's Jadriyah district. Some of the inmates showed signs of torture. On Nov. 15, al-Jaafari promised an investigation and results within two weeks. No report has been released.

"The team has discovered a number of problems that the Interior Ministry and Human Rights Ministry have undertaken to solve," the statement said, adding that "13 detainees were evacuated from the above-mentioned center so that they could receive medical treatment."

The ministry did not say why they needed treatment, what had caused their injuries, or if they were consistent with abuse or torture.

But an officer at the Interior Ministry, who asked not be named because he is not authorized to speak to the media, said the 13 were taken for medical treatment because they had signs of abuse.

"Thirteen people with signs of torture were transferred to the hospital and are now under guard," he said.

A spokeswoman for the U.S.-led Multinational Forces in Iraq confirmed the transfer of 13 people from the facility for medical treatment but had no further details.

"There were coalition officers present during the inspection of the facility," said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Stacy Simon. "Thirteen of them were removed from the facility to receive medical treatment."