Semper Oy Vey

      The ACLU was able to get hold of documents that show that 9 marines who had tortured prisoners received courts-martials. Also uncovered are other reports of abuse and torture of prisoners.

Other records released by the ACLU today include investigative interviews with Navy personnel that provide a glimpse into the routine abusive treatment of detainees by U.S. forces in Iraq. For example, in one interview, a Navy corpsman described the regular process whereby Iraqis classified as Enemy Prisoners of War (EPWs) would be taken to an empty swimming pool and handcuffed and legcuffed with burlap bags placed over their heads. They would then remain in the kneeling position for up to 24 hours awaiting interrogation. Despite providing this description, the officer stated that he "never saw any instances of physical abuse" toward the detainees.

NYTimes Story:

In the case of using the transformer to shock a prisoner, the documents show that the incident occurred in April 2004 at a holding area at Mahmudiya, just south of Baghdad. One marine was sentenced to a year in prison and a second to eight months

Another marine was sentenced to 90 days' confinement for squirting a flammable liquid on a detainee's hands and then lighting it with a match, also at Mahmudiya, in August 2003. The detainee suffered second-degree burns.