Pentagon denies Qu'ran claims

2005-05-17 21:43

Washington - The US defence department on Tuesday denied accusations by former Guantanamo inmates that Qu'ran holy books had been desecrated at the "war on terror" detention camp.

"In the allegations of released detainees, we have found nothing to substantiate these types of investigations," Pentagon chief spokesperson Larry DiRita said.

"They were not specific and remarkably contrary to the way we try to manage these issues. We don't believe they are true," he said.

He added that it was "likely" the former inmates were lying. "Detainees who are released make all manner of statements."

DiRita said the accusations have not been the investigated because of the lack of credibility, but that a wide-ranging review of interrogations at the detention camp in Cuba was underway.

"There might be instances where the Qu'ran may have fallen to the floor while searching a cell, offending a detainee," DiRita said.

He referred to a 2003 Pentagon memo which said the Qu'ran had to be treated with "great respect".

Several Britons who had been held at US military prisons in Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay alleged on Monday that they had seen US guards desecrate the Qu'ran.

Other former prisoners have made similar allegations.

Newsweek magazine on Monday retracted a report on the descretation of a Qu'ran at Guantanamo, which triggered protests in Afghanistan that left at least 14 dead.

- AFP