IRAQ: Iraqi and US military officials have said that an inspection of an overcrowded detention centre run by the interior ministry discovered 13 prisoners who required medical treatment, the victims of apparent abuse.
A statement by the Iraqi Human Rights Ministry did not say why the 13 needed treatment, but added that an investigating judge also ordered the immediate release of 56 people apparently held without reason at the Baghdad facility, which was inspected by a team of investigators on December 8th.
The revelation could have an impact on Thursday's general elections by reinforcing criticism of prime minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari's Shia-dominated government. Opposition parties and Sunni Arab groups have accused the government and security forces of human rights abuses.
Mr al-Jaafari ordered an investigation into what he described as an "unhealthy phenomenon".
"There is a committee following the case. My military adviser is touring all of Iraq's jails to know if there are such cases," Mr al-Jaafari said at a news conference. "I will not allow such dealing with any prisoner," he added.
"The team has discovered a number of problems that the interior ministry and human rights ministry have undertaken to solve," the ministry statement said, adding that 13 detainees were evacuated for medical treatment.
The ministry did not say why they needed treatment, but an officer at the ministry said it was because there were signs of abuse. "Thirteen people with signs of torture were transferred to the hospital and are now under guard," he said.
Last month, an inspection by US troops found up to 173 malnourished Iraqi detainees at a building of the Shia-led interior ministry in Baghdad's Jadriyah district. Some of the inmates showed signs of torture.