17-Year Jail Sentence Demanded for Torturer

The military court accused Graner of beating detainees, sexually harrassing them and forcing them to make a human pyramid with no clothes on. It is reported that Graner may be sentenced to 17 and a half years. Charles Graner said yesterday that he was only following orders. Human rights groups have called for higher-level authorities at the prison to be tried before the court. Pictures of torture and bad treatment applied to Iraqi detainees in Abu Ghraib by US soldiers were been leaked to the press last year and caused a worldwide outcry. The highest-level soldier tried for Abu Ghraib was head sergeant Ivan Frederick.

Meanwhile, US Interior Security Minister Tom Ridge has told the BBC that in some cases detainees were tortured for information. He made the statement after human right organizations demanded investigation into torture claims. Ridge has resigned and will leave his position on February 1st.