Proposed Statement concerning the Baghdad Confinement Facility Detainee Abuse and an announcement of a criminal investigation surrounding the detainee abuse at Abu Ghraib.
UNCLASSIFIED/!For Official Use Only
HEADQUARTERS
COMBINED JOINT TASK FORCE SEVEN
BAGHDAD. IRAQ
APO AE 09335
REPLY TO
ATTENTION OF
CJTF7-JA 19 March 2004 / 1030
Proposed Statement
Baghdad Confinement Facility Detainee Abuse
On 14 January 2004, a criminal investigation was initiated to examine allegations of detainee abuse at the Baghdad Confinement Facility at Abu Ghraib (BCF). Shortly thereafter, the commanding general of CJTF-7 requested a separate administrative investigation into systemic issues such as command policies and internal procedures relating to detention operations. That administrative investigation is complete, although the findings and recommendations have not been approved.
As a result of the criminal investigation, six military personnel have been charged with criminal offenses, to include Article 81 (Conspiracy), Article 92 (Dereliction of Duty), Article 93 (Cruelty and Maltreatment), Article 128 (Assault) and Article 134 (Indecent Acts with Another).
The Coalition takes all reports of detainee abuse seriously and all allegations of mistreatment are investigated. We are committed to treating all persons under Coalition control with dignity, respect, and humanity. Coalition personnel are expected to act appropriately, humanely, and in a manner consistent with the Geneva Conventions.
Lieutenant General Sanchez has reinforced this requirement to all members of CJTF-7.
UNCLASSIFIED//For Official Use Only
DOD 007589