While the United States has yet to conclude the investigation
into allegation put by a former Afghan police officer last week its
army was notified with another allegation of detainee abuse, US
military spokesman said
Saturday.???
"This is another allegation comes to light since an
investigation started upon a notification of the previous
allegation," Tucker Masanger told reporters at a regular news
briefing in Kabul.
The new allegation came into light just after one week when Syed
Nabi Sidiqui, a former local police officer alleged that he was
stripped naked, sexually assaulted and beaten by US soldiers at
their base in Gardiz 90 km southeast of the capital.
"Thursday, coalition leaders were notified of another allegation
of detainee abuse and immediately launched investigation into this
matter," the US officer added without elaboration.
"We did not receive from the person that alleges the abuse. We
received from the second source," the spokesman replied when asked
to identify the accuser.
However, he said that the investigation was going on by the US
army's Criminal Investigated Division.
"The investigation will be thoroughly completed and when it
draws its conclusion appropriate action will be taken against
anybody involved in detainee abuse," he responded to a query.
Asked to comment about the duration of the investigation, the
officer retorted: "I do not know how long the investigation will
take as I am not the member of investigation team."
According to Afghan sources and media reports, at least three
Afghans have died inside US custody since early 2002 at Kunar and
Bagram respectively.
Bagram 50 km north of Kabul has been the headquarters of US-led
coalition forces in Afghanistan since the collapse of Taliban
regime in late 2001.
Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission, the only
watchdog in the post-Taliban country in a request last week sought
access to American detention centers here but it has yet to be
accepted by the US military.
On the possible access of Afghan Human Rights Commission to the
US holding facilities, Masanger said: "We view the International
Committee of Red Cross as the sole international organization that
is charged with looking after the prisoners under the control."
(Xinhua News Agency May 17, 2004)