Charges Sought Against Rumsfeld Over Prison Abuse

[sabra]

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1557842,00.html

Charges Sought Against Rumsfeld Over Prison Abuse
Exclusive: A lawsuit in Germany will seek a criminal prosecution of the former Defense Secretary and other U.S. officials for their alleged role in abuses at Abu Ghraib and Gitmo

Just days after his resignation, former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is about to face more repercussions for his involvement in the troubled wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. New legal documents, to be filed next week with Germany's top prosecutor, will seek a criminal investigation and prosecution of Rumsfeld, along with Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, former CIA director George Tenet and other senior U.S. civilian and military officers, for their alleged roles in abuses committed at Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison and at the U.S. detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

The plaintiffs in the case include 11 Iraqis who were prisoners at Abu Ghraib, as well as Mohammad al-Qahtani, a Saudi held at Guantanamo, whom the U.S. has identified as the so-called "20th hijacker" and a would-be participant in the 9/11 hijackings. As TIME first reported in June 2005, Qahtani underwent a "special interrogation plan," personally approved by Rumsfeld, which the U.S. says produced valuable intelligence. But to obtain it, according to the log of his interrogation and government reports, Qahtani was subjected to forced nudity, sexual humiliation, religious humiliation, prolonged stress positions, sleep deprivation and other controversial interrogation techniques.

Lawyers for the plaintiffs say that one of the witnesses who will testify on their behalf is former Brig. Gen. Janis Karpinski, the one-time commander of all U.S. military prisons in Iraq. Karpinski — who the lawyers say will be in Germany next week to publicly address her accusations in the case — has issued a written statement to accompany the legal filing, which says, in part: "It was clear the knowledge and responsibility (for what happened at Abu Ghraib) goes all the way to the top of the chain of command to the Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld ."

A spokesperson for the Pentagon told TIME there would be no comment since the case has not yet been filed.

Along with Rumsfeld, Gonzales and Tenet, the other defendants in the case are Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence Stephen Cambone; former assistant attorney general Jay Bybee; former deputy assisant attorney general John Yoo; General Counsel for the Department of Defense William James Haynes II; and David S. Addington, Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff. Senior military officers named in the filing are General Ricardo Sanchez, the former top Army official in Iraq; Gen. Geoffrey Miller, the former commander of Guantanamo; senior Iraq commander, Major General Walter Wojdakowski; and Col. Thomas Pappas, the one-time head of military intelligence at Abu Ghraib.

[burythehatchet]

1. I hope they all have to stay in one cell

and sleep in a naked pyramid. Rummy at the bottom, of course.

[jayctravis]

23. Democratic Justice can be a slow-moving tsunami.

[saigon68]

52. Handiwork of the war criminal

ONE OF RUMDUMB'S THUGS BEAT THIS NAN TO DEATH


THIS IS LYNNDIE ENGLANDS UNDER WEAR

[Iwasthere]

2. Nice of Germany to help us out here...

But if we have much of the same evidence as Germany how come we are willing to let the sick criminals slide?

[soothsayer]

3. because we just made it legal, didn't we?

[sarge43]

7. Germany going after an American war criminal.

How sadly ironic, but come get him, guys. If you bag him, try him at Nuremberg.

[Igel]

18. Plaintiffs filing papers with the prosecutor asking for

an investigation that would lead to a trial.

That's not quite "Germany"--unless we think of Iraqis and Saudis as honorary Germans--going after anybody.

I doubt the prosecutor will do much, but it's the prosecutor's call.

[Demeter]

4. Germans Are Tenacious, Thank God!

Go get 'em. Angela!

[BootinUp]

5. Beer drinking Cheese eatin Surrender Monkeys!!!

The court should refuse to hear the case!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I jest.

[liberal N proud]

6. This is a third source that indicates Rummy will be charged

The first was last Friday Nov 3rd in the Nation
War Criminals Beware
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20061120/brechersmith


Second yesterday through a link form a DU Post: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x2656697

[Tight_rope]

8. Dumbsfeld is burnt toast...he burned himself out...Come get him!

:beer:

[Canuckistanian]

9. Good for Janis Karpinski!

They tried to make her the scapegoat - but she'll eventually be Rummy's worst nightmare.

[peacetalksforall]

10. I keep asking myself where their arrogance came from - and

whether they couldn't steal money fast enough to keep invading the world.

They invaded, but didn't conquer and now if justice works outside this country, they will be prosecuted - deservedly.

[0007]

11. Let the trials begin!



[KayLaw]

14. I'm not familiar with that picture.

I must say I think whoever did this to this person, like all torturers, should be wiped off the face of the earth.

[0007]

20. This is the way John Walker Lindt was brought back to the US

from Afghanistan.

[KayLaw]

21. God.

I had no idea.

[acmavm]

12. Great. I hope the papers stand up.

By the way, anyone seen Al lately?

edit: Al Gonzo that is.

[0007]

13. Let the trial begin



[rodeodance]

15. dang. does not look like bush or Cheney are included.

[AndyTiedye]

16. There Is A Place in the HAGUE Waiting For Mr. Rumsfelled

[donco6]

17. This is truly a cause for celebration!

Danke schoen, Deutschland!

[jpak]

19. Nuremberg would be the perfect place to hold these trials

:evilgrin:

[Zhade]

22. And we will hold him accountable when...?

The rest of the world must think so poorly of us, the way we keep letting criminals literally get away with murder these past few decades.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

24. "There are known crimes against humanity and unknown crimes

against humanity. Golly gee."

[tritsofme]

25. Charges Sought Against Rumsfeld Over Prison Abuse (Germany)

Just days after his resignation, former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is about to face more repercussions for his involvement in the troubled wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. New legal documents, to be filed next week with Germany's top prosecutor, will seek a criminal investigation and prosecution of Rumsfeld, along with Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, former CIA director George Tenet and other senior U.S. civilian and military officers, for their alleged roles in abuses committed at Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison and at the U.S. detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

The plaintiffs in the case include 11 Iraqis who were prisoners at Abu Ghraib, as well as Mohammad al-Qahtani, a Saudi held at Guantanamo, whom the U.S. has identified as the so-called "20th hijacker" and a would-be participant in the 9/11 hijackings. As TIME first reported in June 2005, Qahtani underwent a "special interrogation plan," personally approved by Rumsfeld, which the U.S. says produced valuable intelligence. But to obtain it, according to the log of his interrogation and government reports, Qahtani was subjected to forced nudity, sexual humiliation, religious humiliation, prolonged stress positions, sleep deprivation and other controversial interrogation techniques.

Lawyers for the plaintiffs say that one of the witnesses who will testify on their behalf is former Brig. Gen. Janis Karpinski, the one-time commander of all U.S. military prisons in Iraq. Karpinski — who the lawyers say will be in Germany next week to publicly address her accusations in the case — has issued a written statement to accompany the legal filing, which says, in part: "It was clear the knowledge and responsibility goes all the way to the top of the chain of command to the Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld ."

A spokesperson for the Pentagon told TIME there would be no comment since the case has not yet been filed.

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1557842,00.html

[Jcrowley]

26. k & R n/t

[valerief]

27. Lovely! K & R. nt

[cspanlovr]

28. I told my husband last night that this would happen. He laughed at me!

He thought I was just giddy from the election. I've bookmarked this, and can't wait to show him. Bring 'em on!

[wake.up.america]

29. Nichts wird passieren (Nothing will happen)

[ERF]

41. Ich bin der gleiche Meinung.

[flyingfysh]

30. Rumsfield is just a private citizen now

so there is no question of them charging a current government official.

[ERF]

32. Yes and no. It still is a slippery slope for a foreign

government to be charging a citizen of another country with a crime committed while he was an elected official. He may be guilty as sin, but like I said, it is a slippery slope. What is to stop any other nation from taking out vendettas grounded less in fact and more in vengence?

[LilyLibber]

36. I may be wrong on this...

in fact, I probably am, but I was under the impression that Germany alone had universal jurisdiction for war crimes/crimes against humanity. Also, how does it work if they want to charge someone still in their position, like Gonzalez?

[ERF]

37. I honestly do not know, but I thought it was the international

criminal court in the Hague. I can't think of a logical reason why Germany would have that kind of jurisdiction.

The legal system is Germany is pretty sound and fair though.

On the other hand, the prosecutors are known to be very political and voracious.

This just doesn't sit right with me. It would not be good for our cause if a European country were to try Rummy either in his presence or abstentia. Plays into the hands of the far right.

[tritsofme]

49. This might help clear it up for you:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_jurisdiction

[Solon]

39. Just a qubble, but Rummy wasn't elected, he was appointed...

also, precedent was technically set with the Nuremberg trials.

[ERF]

40. You are correct. Of course when Germany defeats the US

with the terms of unconditional surrendor, I fully expect American leaders to be tried and hanged.

[Solon]

42. Actually, it wouldn't have to be that drastic...

One way the United States could restore its diplomatic relations would be for Democrats in Congress to Impeach Bush/Cheney, remove them from office and try them here in the states, after they are found guilty of war crimes domestically, then turn them over to the Hague to be prosecuted there, they can then rot there for life for all I care. Granted, this is practically a pipe dream, but one helluva dream.

[Xenotime]

31. They are falling! This has been the best week ever!

[partylessinOhio]

33. What will Pelosi say about this?

Will she invite Rumsfeld to tea and make nice?

[ERF]

38. Is this something new? WWPD:

What would Pelosi do?

[partylessinOhio]

48. Very good. Mind if I use that? (WWPD)

[IndianaGreen]

34. All the Bush regime's war criminals and human rights abusers should be tried

at The Hague.

No amnesty!

[lse7581011]

35. Drudge Has The Red Light Going!

must have some meat to the story!

[Amonester]

43. "which the U.S. says produced valuable intelligence"

and nothing else than a period.

Since most of US know torture never produce valuable intelligence, because the victims always tell their barbarian torturers what they want to hear (just hoping the unsustainable pain will stop), the only conclusion is that, that 'statement' is (again) another B.S.ting lie coming out of the junta's propagandist$.

As for rumsferatu's fate, I have a dream that one day, true justice will be served to him at the proper location: The ICC at The Hague (near Milosevic's seat there).

[Judi Lynn]

44. The NY Times has to be the complete master of euphemism:

From the article:

Qahtani was subjected to forced nudity, sexual humiliation, religious humiliation, prolonged stress positions, sleep deprivation and other controversial interrogation techniques.

Now there's a term which should completely strip away any possible negative association from the crude but exactly correct term: "torture."

Since WHEN have we been obligated to relieve the torturers of all responsibility and regard their acts as nothing more than a series of interactions?

[hogwyld]

45. Wouldn't it be just grand

If the German special forces snatched Rummy in the dead of night, and secreted him back to Nuremberg? Just a dream I'm sure, but, just maybe, after our ass kicking Tuesday, maybe anything's possible? What do you think would happen, if bush/cheney went on a state visit, and the German's arrested them also?

[dkofos]

46. Hey Rummy watch your back!! You may be rendered to Germany!!

[drb]

47. Rendition! Waterboarding! Sexual humiliation! Photos on the internets!

Oh, baby! I can almost taste it!!!

[laylah]

50. ..

:woohoo::woohoo::woohoo::woohoo::woohoo::woohoo::woohoo::woohoo:

[tabasco]

51. A lot of people died because of the fraud Iraq war.

There should be consequences to launching war for profits and allowing war crimes to be committed. Rumsfeld belongs in jail for allowing torture and for his role in lying this country into war.

[Quetzal]

53. Bybee is now on the 9th circuit

his rulings are in line with the Scalia wing of SCOTUS

[burrowowl]

54. Now he can't go see his relatives

in Germany, who don't want to see him.