This information paper describes the incidents which resulted in the death of Iraqi Major General and detainee, Abed Hamed Mowhoush. Major General Mowhoush was detained and transported to a temporary detention facility, between November 10-24, 2003. On November 26, 2003, Mr. Mowhoush was interrogated by Chief Warrant Officer Lewis E. Welshofer, Jr., Chief Warrant Officer Jeff L. Williams, Sergeant First Class William J. Sommer, and Specialist Jerry L. Loper. The officers placed Mr. Mowhoush into a sleeping bag, tied an electrical cord around his neck and then placed him on his back, while CW3 Welshofer sat on his stomach and placed his hands over Mr. Mowhoush's eyes and mouth. The position caused Mr. Mowhoush to convulse, which prompted CW3 Welshofer to then roll Mr. Mowhoush onto his stomach and sit on his back, ultimately Mr. Mowhoush died of asphyxia.
The officers were charged with the following: CW3 Welshofer-involuntary manslaughter; CW2 Williams-negligent homicide and dereliction of duty; SFC Sommer and SPC Loper were both charged with dereliction of duty.
INFORMATION PAPER
CIOP-COP 25 June 2004
SUBJECT: Notifications on Death of Iraqi Major General Abed Hamed Mowhoush
1. Purpose. To provide information concerning the death of MG Mowhoush while in the custody of US Forces personnel.
2. Background.
cb_ . -3 a. On 10 Nov 03, MG Mowhoush, identified as a former member of the Saddam Hussein regime, was detained by coalition forces and transported to a temporary detention facility. Witness interviews have disclosed between 10 — 24 Nov 03, CW3 ililliinterrogated MG Mowhoush at least once, and often times more than once a day. On 24 Nov 03, MG Mowhoush was interrogated by unidentified OGA personnel. During this interrogation, personnel assigned to the 66thMilitary Intelligence Company overheard what were believed to be physical blows and cries of anguish from MG Mowhoush. On 26 Nov 03, MG Mowhoush was interrogated bymmilimppi and CW2 66th MI Co with SFC (also assigned to the 66 MI Co) and SPC Aviation Maintenance Troop, Support Squadron, 3d Armored Calvary Regiment, present in the room. The 66 th MI Co is a subordinate unit of the Support S uadron, 3d Arm ed alvary Regiment, Fort Carson, CO. During this interrogation, CW2 and S C , at the direction of CW3 Welshofer, placed MG Mowhoush in a sleeping bag. SPC tied an electrical cord around MG Mowhoush and placed him in a sleeping bag. MG Mowhoush was then placed on his back while CW3 Welshofer sat on his abdomen, placed his hands over his eyes and mouth, and continued the interrogation. MG Mowhoush appeared to start convulsing. CW3 Welshofer then rolled MG Mowhoush on his stomach and sat on his back continuing the interrogation. MG Mowhoush subsequently died during this technique. On 2 Dec 03, an autopsy was performed by the Office of the Armed Forces Medical Examiner, Institute of Pathology which disclosed MG Mowhoush died of asphyxia due to smothering and chest compression. The manner of death was homicide. Further investigation by CID determined credible information exists to believe CW3 Welshofer committed the offense of involuntary manslaughter; CW2 Williams committed the offense of negligent homicide and dereliction of duty; and SFC Sommer and SPC Loper committed the offense of dereliction of duty. Although the investigation into all the alleged assaults on MG Mowhoush continues, the chain of command has been provided information regarding the four Soldiers.
b. The following CID notifications were made to Headquarters, Department of the Army and Department of Defense concerning this investigation:
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY — LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE All information related to this matter is law enforcement sensitive and should be restricted. Any premature release of case-sensitive information could jeopardize the investigation and affect successful prosecution. This information is protected by the Privacy Act. By law and regulation, it may not be disclosed to any person or organization outside the Department of Defense without the individual's authorization and prior approval of the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command.
016256
DOD-048415
CIOP-COP SUBJECT: Death of Iraqi Major General Abed Hamed Mowhoush
(1) 1 Dec 03: Classified Executive Summary, Subject: Death of Detainee, to HQDA.
(2)
12 Jan 04: Information Paper, Subject: Current CID Investigations Regarding Allegations of Detainee Abuse in Iraq and Afghanistan, to HQDA.
(3)
14 May 04: Deputy Commander, USACIDC, provided desk side briefing to Ms Carol Haave, Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence (Counterintelligence and Security) on the MG Mowhoush case as well as several other detainee abuse investigations. A written summary of all the detainee abuse cases was also provided.
(4)
20 May 04: USACIDC provided a copy of the written summary tf all detainee abuse cases (to include the MG Mowhoush case) to the DoD's Counterintelligence Field Activity (CIFA).
(5)
5 Jun 04: Deputy Commander, USACIDC, and supervisory special agents provided a briefing to Ms Carol Haave on 5 Jun 04 on the MG Mowhoush case, as well as providing her access to all closed detainee death cases.
(6)
8 Jun 04: USACIDC provided copies of all cases, open and closed, that involved or might involve OGA or Special Forces, to Ms Carol Haave, on 8 Jun 04. Included in that packet were the CID initial and status reports regarding MG Mowhoush.
(ia) (1.0 )-I cwilalciop-coM (1,)10- 2_ APPROVED BY: CO
2
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY — LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE
All information related to this matter is law enforcement sensitive and should be restricted. Any premature release of case-sensitive information could jeopardize the investigation and affect successful prosecution. This information is protected by the Privacy Act. By law and regulation, it may not be disclosed to any person or organization outside the Department of Defense without the individual's authorization and prior approval of the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command.
016257
DOD-048416