Iraqi PM orders probe of raid on Basra prison(calls it an unlawful and irresponsible act)

[maddezmom]

By Aref Mohammed

BASRA, Iraq, March 4 (Reuters) - Iraq's prime minister called for an investigation into a raid by Iraqi and British forces in Basra on Sunday that the British military said found evidence of torture at an intelligence agency detention centre.

The British military said the raid on the National Iraqi Intelligence Agency detention facility in central Basra was part of an operation led by Iraqi counter-terrorist forces who were seeking a "known death squad leader" at the prison.

But Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, a Shi'ite Islamist who has vowed to crack down on militias blamed for sectarian killings, issued a statement criticising the operation.

"The Prime Minister has ordered a prompt investigation into the incident of breaking into the security complex headquarters in Basra and he affirmed the need to punish those who have carried out this unlawful and irresponsible act," it said.

A British military statement said the intelligence agency facility was not deliberately targeted and was only entered because of information gained in raids in the preceding hours.

more:http://mobile.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L04686706.htm

earlier thread:Raid on Iraqi intelligence HQ reveals torture

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2754665

British-Iraqi forces find abused detainees during raid of Iraq intelligence office
BASRA, Iraq (CNN) -- British and Iraqi forces looking for a wanted terrorist early Sunday found a group of prisoners -- including women and children -- at an Iraqi Intelligence Agency office in Basra, who had apparently been abused, possibly tortured, the British military said.

According to a British military news release, the troops discovered "around 30 prisoners, including a woman and two children, who were being held, and many of whom showed signs of torture and abuse."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=2754665&mesg_id=2754890

[acmavm]

1. Is al Maliki mad because his little henchmen got caught at their

shennanigans? Does he believe that we don't already know what side he's on, who he panders to (as Sadr).

This is almost funny. Almost, except for the inhumanity of the whole situation.

[Warren Stupidity]

2. No wonder they are bailing out.

What a mess. Oh and of course we have the monopoly on tarture and abuse of prisoners. How dare the Iraqis try to muscle in oon our turf?

[maddezmom]

3. Probe opened into British-Iraqi raid

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Iraq's government opened a probe Monday into a British-Iraqi raid on a police intelligence headquarters in southern Iraq that captured an alleged death squad leader and found 30 prisoners with signs of torture.

The raid took place Sunday at the National Iraqi Intelligence Agency building in Basra, Iraq's second-largest city, 340 miles southeast of Baghdad.

Inside, troops discovered 30 prisoners with signs of torture and abuse, including one woman and two children, the British military said in a statement. It did not elaborate.

An alleged death squad leader was captured along with four other suspected militiamen, Maj. David Gell, a British military spokesman, said Monday.

more; http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070305/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_british_raid