US frees 275 from Abu Ghraib
2004-09-15 20:50
Baghdad - The United States military released 275 prisoners on Wednesday from Abu Ghraib Prison, the facility near Baghdad where US soldiers allegedly abused Iraqi detainees, authorities said.
This marked the first release after a review by a joint Iraqi and military committee set up last month to review the cases, said Lieutenant-Colonel Barry Johnson, a military spokesperson.
As a result of the review process, as many as 500 additional prisoners will be released by the end of the month, said Johnson.
"Many more have been selected for release, but are awaiting the guarantors from their local community," he said.
The committee consists of six Iraqi officials and three representatives from the US-led multinational forces, said Johnson.
More than 5 000 prisoners have been released from Abu Ghraib since the scandal involving mistreatment of prisoners at the hands of US soldiers broke earlier this year.
About 2 500 prisoners remain in detention.
- AP