U.S. soldiers accused of assaulting Afghan prisoners
Last Updated Sun, 30 Oct 2005 18:33:09 EST
CBC News

Two American soldiers have been charged with assaulting two detainees at a military base in southern Afghanistan, the U.S. military says.

A military statement issued on Sunday alleged that the two soldiers punched the prisoners in the chest, shoulders and stomach while they were being held in Uruzgan province in July.

"The command remains committed to investigate all allegations of misconduct and will hold individuals responsible for their actions consistent with U.S. military law," Brig. Gen. Jack Sterling, a deputy coalition commander, was quoted as saying.

Neither prisoner needed to be treated by doctors, the military said.

The soldiers are charged with conspiracy to maltreat, assault and dereliction of duty.

According to a military spokesman, the two soldiers' main duties did not involve dealing with prisoners.

The U.S. military has come under repeated criticism for its treatment of prisoners from its campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq, especially after notorious photographs surfaced of abuses at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq.

* FROM JAN. 6, 2005: Abu Ghraib

The military has convicted or punished dozens of soldiers in the Abu Ghraib and other abuses.

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