Five US soldiers plead guilty to Iraq abuse

Five US Army Rangers court-martialled over charges of detainee abuse in Iraq have pleaded guilty and been given punishments varying from 30 days to six months in confinement, the military said yesterday.

Two of the soldiers would receive a bad conduct discharge over the charges, which resulted from an investigation into allegations of abuse that took place on September 7, a statement said. It said the sentences were passed at courts-martial completed between December 8 and 13.In November, the military said five soldiers from the 75th Ranger Regiment had been charged after allegations they had punched and kicked Iraqi detainees and hit them with a broomstick on Sept.7 in Baghdad, between arresting them and taking them to prison.It was not immediately clear whether yesterday’s statement described the outcome of the November charges.- Nampa-ReutersIt said the sentences were passed at courts-martial completed between December 8 and 13.In November, the military said five soldiers from the 75th Ranger Regiment had been charged after allegations they had punched and kicked Iraqi detainees and hit them with a broomstick on Sept.7 in Baghdad, between arresting them and taking them to prison.It was not immediately clear whether yesterday’s statement described the outcome of the November charges.- Nampa-Reuters