Red Cross 'warned' US of abuse

2004-05-06 12:17

Geneva - The international Red Cross said on Thursday it had repeatedly asked US authorities to take action over prisoner abuse at Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison before recent revelations about the way detainees were treated.

"We were aware of what was going on, and based on our findings we have repeatedly requested the US authorities to take corrective action," said Nada Doumani, speaking from Amman, Jordan for the International Committee of the Red Cross.

The ICRC, which visits prisoners held by coalition authorities in Iraq, had previously refused to comment publicly on conditions at the prison.

"We've been visiting Abu Ghraib prison since already from last year," Doumani told reporters. "We are of course aware of the situation since we talk with the detainees privately.

"We get testimony from them. We visit all the premises in this place. We crosscheck information we receive from different detainees. Definitely we were aware of what was going on in Abu Ghraib.

"And based on our findings we have repeatedly requested the US authorities to take corrective action."

- AP