Danes in prison abuse case

2005-01-21 22:22

Copenhagen - A Danish officer and four military policeman who served with the Danish forces in southern Iraq were charged Friday with breach of duty resulting from prisoner abuse.

The alleged abuse took place at the former Danish military base Camp Eden last year, and was investigated by the armed forces independent prosecution agency. If convicted, the five face up to a year in prison.

Captain Annemette Hommel - who was sent home before her tour of duty was up - allegedly conducted interviews that breached interrogation rules, including forcing prisoners to kneel while questioned.

Hommel said she would not comment on the charges and referred reporters to her defence lawyer.

Defence forces chief Jesper Helso said he would be "the first to apologise if the defence forces had erred," but wanted to await the outcome of the legal process, noting "no one has been convicted yet".

Camp Eden was located in the British sector, not far from Basra. Denmark still has a 550-strong contingent in Iraq.

Colonel Henrik Flach, the former commander of the Danish contingent who was withdrawn after the allegations of abuse surfaced, is still under investigation. - Sapa-dpa

- SAPA