Polish troops face Iraq abuse claims

Poland denies the allegations of abuse

The Polish army has denied claims that some of its troops abused detainees sent to the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq.

The AP news agency claims a US sergeant told investigators that Polish soldiers had injured two detainees before they arrived at the prison.

The US military has drawn international condemnation over the abuse of detainees at Abu Ghraib by US soldiers.

A Polish army spokesman said Poland's detention centre had been investigated and all procedures were being followed.

Abuses

The claims against the Polish troops were made in witness statements obtained by AP.

It says a US army sergeant told investigators that two detainees had been "injured by the Polish army".

We need to remember that the officer of the US army is the one who is under investigation Polish Colonel Robert Strzelecki

A civilian intelligence analyst said prisoners had complained about physical abuse by non-US soldiers - without naming specific countries.

Iraqi security forces, whose methods have already been criticised by Italian troops, were also accused.

Polish Defence Minister Jerzy Szmajdzinski rejected the claims.

"This is all some unverified leak," he told Polish television. "It all gives an impression of not being a serious allegation."

He said that Poland would ask Washington for explanations.

A Polish army spokesman in Iraq, Colonel Robert Strzelecki, said a new investigation would now be made into the detention centre.

But he stressed that Polish troops did not interrogate detainees, although they did have the right to respond to armed attacks against them with force if necessary.

He suggested that the allegations were an attempt to shift the blame for abuses committed on Iraqi prisoners by others.

"We need to remember that the officer of the US army is the one who is under investigation," he said.

"He is, himself, part of the investigation and this is probably his way of defending himself."

AP claims the witness statements also give new details about abuses allegedly ordered by US military intelligence soldiers at Abu Ghraib, including sleep deprivation and forcing a prisoner to walk naked through the prison while saying "look at me".

One soldier has been convicted and six others are facing military charges over their alleged abuse of detainees at Abu Ghraib.