Military investigates press report of detainee abuse
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
From the HQ ISAF Public Information Office :
On June 10, during the conduct of a combined patrol, the article alleges
a detainee was tied to the back of a military vehicle. According to the
article, the vehicle's engine was then turned on, and the man was told
he would be dragged across the road if he did not cooperate.
Additionally, the article alleges threatening of the detainee's family
members. ISAF and U.S. military officials are conducting formal
investigations into the matter.
"This alleged behavior goes against everything the U.S. Military stands
for and believes in," said Col. Martin P. Schweitzer, commander of ISAF
forces in the region of the incident. "We take these accusations very
seriously. The United States commander has appointed a senior officer
to investigate the allegations in coordination with Afghan National
Security Forces officials and local community leaders. The soldier in
question has been temporarily removed from his post, pending the outcome
of the investigation."
IN OTHER NEWS:
KHOWST, Afghanistan (June 22) – Taliban extremists have been desecrating cemeteries and burial sites, using children as bombers, and violating Islamic tradition, according to ISAF officials here.
“They placed explosives on a 6-year-old boy and told him to walk up to the Afghan Police or Army and push the button,” said Capt. Michael P. Cormier, company commander. “Fortunately, the boy did not understand and asked patrolling officers why he had this vest on.
“This type of action is not tolerated by any culture or any people,” said Maj. Donald A. Korpi, ISAF’s Regional Command-East spokesman. It was the people in the area who first reported these activities to the Afghan security forces in the Andar district, he said.
On June 10, during the conduct of a combined patrol, the article alleges
a detainee was tied to the back of a military vehicle. According to the
article, the vehicle's engine was then turned on, and the man was told
he would be dragged across the road if he did not cooperate.
Additionally, the article alleges threatening of the detainee's family
members. ISAF and U.S. military officials are conducting formal
investigations into the matter.
"This alleged behavior goes against everything the U.S. Military stands
for and believes in," said Col. Martin P. Schweitzer, commander of ISAF
forces in the region of the incident. "We take these accusations very
seriously. The United States commander has appointed a senior officer
to investigate the allegations in coordination with Afghan National
Security Forces officials and local community leaders. The soldier in
question has been temporarily removed from his post, pending the outcome
of the investigation."
IN OTHER NEWS:
KHOWST, Afghanistan (June 22) – Taliban extremists have been desecrating cemeteries and burial sites, using children as bombers, and violating Islamic tradition, according to ISAF officials here.
“They placed explosives on a 6-year-old boy and told him to walk up to the Afghan Police or Army and push the button,” said Capt. Michael P. Cormier, company commander. “Fortunately, the boy did not understand and asked patrolling officers why he had this vest on.
“This type of action is not tolerated by any culture or any people,” said Maj. Donald A. Korpi, ISAF’s Regional Command-East spokesman. It was the people in the area who first reported these activities to the Afghan security forces in the Andar district, he said.
