US to keep 4,000- 5,000 prisoners after June 30

[floda]

BAGHDAD (AFP) - The US-led coalition plans to hold on to between 4,000 and 5,000 people after Iraq (news - web sites) receives sovereignty on June 30 and to free or hand over to the Iraqi authorities 1,400 prisoners, a military officer told AFP.




Currently, there are approximately 6,400 detainees," said Lieutenant Colonel Barry Johnson, a spokesman for detention operations in Iraq.


"At this time, we estimate there will be approximately 4,000-5,000 detainees after June 30, keeping in mind that anti-Coalition activities occur every day, resulting in further detentions."


About 200 prisoners held at Camp Bucca, a detention camp located by the southern port of Umm al-Qasr, will be transferred to the Iraqi authorities, Johnson said.

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