U.S. Justice Department Investigating Possible CIA War Crimes In Iraq

Photo: Manadel al-Jamadi

Haunted by Homicide: Federal Grand Jury Investigates War Crimes And Torture In Death Of 'The Iceman' At Abu Ghraib, Plus Other Alleged CIA Abuses -- Time Magazine

Former colleague and TIME contributor Adam Zagorin breaks news here on Battleland with exclusive reporting on the latest federal action over the infamous death of "the Iceman" at Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison in 2003:

It has been nearly a decade since Manadel al-Jamadi, an Iraqi prisoner known as "the Iceman" — for the bungled attempt to cool his body and make him look less dead — perished in CIA custody at Abu Ghraib. But now there are rumbles in Washington that the notorious case, as well as other alleged CIA abuses, could be returning to haunt the agency. TIME has learned that a prosecutor tasked with probing the CIA — John Durham, a respected, Republican-appointed U.S. Attorney from Connecticut — has begun calling witnesses before a secret federal grand jury in Alexandria, Va., looking into, among other things, the lurid Nov. 4, 2003, homicide, which was documented by TIME in 2005.

Read more ....

More News On A Grand Jury Investigating CIA War Crimes And Torture At Abu Ghraib

Grand Jury Probes CIA in Abu Ghraib's 'Iceman' Killing -- Newser
CIA interrogation death, botched rendition get fresh scrutiny by officials -- Canadian Press/AP
Holder OKs Probe of CIA 'War Crimes' -- FOX News
Torture, botched rendition investigations dog CIA -- Forbes/AP
CIA role suspected in 2003 Iraq prison homicide -- AFP
Report: Grand jury probing possible CIA war crimes in Iraq -- Politico
Investigation Into Alleged Mistreatment Of Detainees At Crucial Point -- NPR

My Comment: I expect indictments to be issued by this summer.

White House Attacks British Papers

"I don't think there's confusion," Gibbs said. (AP Photo)

White House Spars With British Media Over Detainee Abuse Photos -- FOX News

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs attacked the British media Thursday over a Daily Telegraph article that reports there are photos of American soldiers abusing Iraqi prisoners that include images of rape and sexual abuse.

The White House apparently isn't a fan of the British press.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs attacked the British media Thursday after the Daily Telegraph reported that photographs exist of American soldiers abusing Iraqi prisoners, and that the photos include images of rape and sexual abuse.

Earlier this month, President Obama, in a sharp reversal, said he opposed the release of photos said to depict detainee abuse, because he believes that publishing the images could put American soldiers overseas in harm's way.

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More News On Detainee Abuse Photos

Robert Gibbs, rattled by Telegraph story, lashes out at British press -- The Telegraph
Gibbs slams British press; denies Telegraph report -- The Politico
Robert Gibbs should apologise to the British press for his sneering rant -- The Telegraph
White House denies report on rape photos -- Washington Examiner
Gibbs Slams British Press and Denies Telegraph Story -- Washington Post
US Rejects Newspaper Report on Iraq Prison Photos -- Voice of America
Washington slams Telegraph report on Iraq jail photos -- AFP
Push to Block Photos -- Washington Post
White House Briefing: Gibbs Torpedoes British Press on Abuse Photos -- Politics Daily
Do The Photos Show Rape?, Ctd -- The Atlantic
Abu Ghraib pix tale false - Pentagon -- Daily News

Abu Ghraib Abuse Photos 'Show Rape'

US soldiers walk through the halls inside the prison of Abu Ghraib, outside Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday 05 May 2004. Photo © EPA/ANJA NIEDRINGHAUS

From The Telegraph:

Photographs of alleged prisoner abuse which Barack Obama is attempting to censor include images of apparent rape and sexual abuse, it has emerged.

At least one picture shows an American soldier apparently raping a female prisoner while another is said to show a male translator raping a male detainee.

Further photographs are said to depict sexual assaults on prisoners with objects including a truncheon, wire and a phosphorescent tube.

Another apparently shows a female prisoner having her clothing forcibly removed to expose her breasts.

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My Comment: President Obama opened this box and now he cannot close it. This issue will now dog his Presidency as it did for President Bush.

Ghosts of Abu Gharib

Photo: Santos A. Cardona, 34, who was a contractor in Afghanistan, died Saturday in a roadside bombing. (Family Photo)

Abu Ghraib MP Slain In Bid for Redemption -- Washington Post

Ex-Soldier Hoped to Boost Afghan War Effort.

Santos A. Cardona, an Army dog handler involved in the abuse of Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib, was determined to continue fighting in America's overseas battles to erase the stain of his assault conviction, his family members said.

Those closest to him said his passion for doing what he loved in the service of his country led him to try to return to Iraq in 2006, but the military brought him home after his planned deployment was publicized. Late last year, Cardona, 34, got his chance to rejoin the fight.

He traveled to Afghanistan as a government contractor, using a German shepherd to search for improvised explosive devices and weapons stockpiles. On Saturday, Cardona and his dog, Zomie, were killed when his military convoy hit a roadside bomb, according to Cardona's employer and his family.

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My Comment: Stories like this one always makes me stop .... and ponder what this soldier must have gone through during his trial and subsequent treatment.

He clearly had a "big chip" after his discharge, and he had something to not only prove to those who were important to him, but to himself. It is also clear that he knew that the work that he was doing was important, and that someone had to do it. The fact that it was him .... he accepted and soldiered on.

Men like him will always be missed.