The United States is facing a fresh wave of prisoner abuse allegations, with claims that an Iraqi boy was raped in custody.
The Washington Post has obtained statements made to investigators by former inmates at the Abu Ghraib prison detailing shocking abuse claims.
Six images printed on The Washington Post website included one of a naked prisoner smeared with what appeared to be excrement being forced to walk a straight line in front of a baton-wielding guard.
In another one, a detainee wearing an orange prison uniform is seen kneeling with his hands apparently tied behind his back as a large, black dog restrained with both hands by his handler snarls only a meter or so from his face.
A hooded prisoner in his underwear, in another image, stands on two boxes with his back to a wall, bending over grasping the back of his knees.
A prison guard wearing green gloves is apparently threatening to punch in the head one of several detainees bound hand and foot he has before him on the floor in another photograph.
Another picture shows a prisoner wearing a blanket and a hood and slumped over a railing to which he is handcuffed.
Among the new allegations are that female soldiers fondled male prisoners and that there were repeated brutal beatings from guards at the jail.
The newspaper quoted evidence taken from 13 former prisoners in mid-January, when the scandal was under investigation but before it had become public.
They said they were beaten and humiliated in wing 1A during the holy month of Ramadan.
Some said they were ordered to denounce Islam or were force-fed pork and alcohol, contrary to their religion.
One former prisoner told the newspaper: "They stripped me naked. One of them told me he would rape me. He drew a picture of a woman to my back and makes me stand in shameful position holding my buttocks."
He also said he saw an Army translator having sex with a boy, aged between 15 and 18, at the prison.
He said sheets were hung around the cell to block any viewpoint, but he climbed to get a better look when he heard screams. (Albawaba.com)
© 2004 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
