http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,...157003,00.html
[Spree: Denver Post article on deaths of five Iraqisduring interrogation.]
"Brutal interrogation techniques by U.S. military personnel are being investigated in connection with the deaths of at least five Iraqi prisoners in war-zone detention camps, Pentagon documents obtained by The Denver Post show.
The deaths include the killing in November of a high-level Iraqi general who was shoved into a sleeping bag and suffocated, according to the Pentagon report. The documents contradict an earlier Defense Department statement that said the general died "of natural causes" during an interrogation. Pentagon officials declined to comment on the new disclosure.
***
"In the case of Iraqi Major General Abed Hamed Mowhoush, who headed Saddam Hussein's air force, intelligence officers' role was documented in abuse that soon turned fatal, documents show,
"Mowhoush, considered a "high-priority target," turned himself in for questioning in November, according to documents. After two weeks in custody at an Al Qaim detention facility, northwest of Baghdad, two soldiers with the 66th Military Intelligence Company, slid a sleeping bag over his body, except for his feet, and began questioning him as they rolled him repeatedly from his back to his stomach, the documents show.
"Then, one of the soldiers, an interrogator, sat on Mowhoush's chest and placed his hands over the prisoner's mouth, according to the report: 'During this interrogation, the (general) became non-responsive, medics were called and he was later pronounced dead.' According to the documents, 'The preliminary report lists the cause of death as asphyxia due to smothering and chest compressions.'
"Immediately after Mowhoush's death was reported, U.S. military officials released a statement acknowledging he died during an interview.
"'Mowhoush said he didn't feel well and subsequently lost consciousness,' read the press statement, which is still posted on a Pentagon website. 'The soldier questioning him found no pulse, then conducted CPR and called for medical authorities. According to the on-site surgeon, it appeared Mowhouse died of natural causes.'"
Well, its only natural that you die after being smothered. Apparently, the investigation continues. But really, what the hell? After all, he was just an Iraqi General.
S_A_M
