Time Mag Report Keeps Army From Sending Convicted Abu Ghraib Abuser Back To Iraq

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November 4, 2006

WASHINGTON - Just days after shipping out for Iraq, a soldier convicted of prisoner abuse at Abu Ghraib during a previous tour was ordered back to his home base, officials said Friday.

Spec. Santos A. Cardona had departed Fort Bragg, N.C., on Monday with his unit, the 23rd Military Police Company, and was in Kuwait, preparing to move into Iraq, when the Army decided that for his own safety he should be stopped.

Several hours later, Fort Bragg issued a written statement saying Cardona was being sent home immediately from Kuwait. It said he would be given ''duties commensurate with'' his military skills, but it was not more specific.

In a court martial this summer, Cardona was convicted of dereliction of duty and aggravated assault for allowing his police dog to bark within inches of a prisoner's face at Abu Ghraib prison. The Army said he did 90 days of hard labor, was reduced in rank from sergeant to specialist and ordered to pay $600 per month in fines for 12 months.

His sentence did not include jail time, and after his 90 days of hard labor he chose to remain in the Army, although he is no longer assigned dog handling duties in his MP unit, Boyce said.

Time magazine initially reported that Cardona was being sent back to Iraq. After the report appeared the Army decided to stop him.

http://www.registerguard.com/news/2006/11/04/printable/a2.nat.warabuse2.1104.oq4GqJ71.phtml?section=nation_world



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[bluedeminredstate]

1. What was Goeffrey Miller's fine?

He's the Gitmo guy who brought the techniques over to Iraq. Not excusing Cardona, but since he got his stupid pet tricks from somewhere he shouldn't be the only one hurting...

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2. the grunts got blamed for following the orders of their military superiors

and the orders that came from the contract interrorgators. But, there is no excuse for following orders to torture and abuse prisoners.

This is a reflection of the military's indifference to the abuses to just let convicted abusers glide back into Iraq to continue their craft.

[sproutster]

3. What a bunch of BS... That dog did not just bark close to the face

At Salon.com you can see pictures of a naked iraq with ... OH DOG BITES!!

Wonder who taught doggie the taste of human flesh?

... I flipping wig out every time I think of it.

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4. I wonder what new duty he was slated for?