US replaces Sanchez with Kern

2004-06-17 20:10

Washington - A four-star general has been appointed to oversee an investigation into prisoner abuse at Abu Ghraib prison, replacing Lieutenant General Ricardo Sanchez, who recused himself, the US Army has announced.

General Paul Kern will assume responsibility for the probe into "alleged misconduct of certain personnel assigned or attached to the 205th Military Intelligence Brigade," the army said in a statement released late on Wednesday.

Sanchez had ordered the investigation into the conduct of military intelligence interrogators at the Abu Ghraib prison after a review by Major General Antonio Taguba concluded that they influenced military guards to "set conditions for interrogations."

Major General George Fay, the army's deputy chief of staff for intelligence, has been conducting the investigation into military intelligence at Sanchez's direction.

But after questions arose about Sanchez's role in the activities at Abu Ghraib, the US commander in Iraq asked to be recused, clearing the way for him to be questioned by the investigating officer.

"General Kern may retain Major General George R Fay as the investigating officer or may appoint another officer after reviewing the current status of the initial investigation," the army statement said.

- AFP