US Training of Death Squads in Iraq? - War Is A Crime .org

U.S. personnel who have been training Iraqi police officers said they long had suspected thehighway patrol of conducting illegal raids and killings but had little oversight of the force.The black-garbed highway patrol officers rarely attend U.S.-financed police academies aimedat improving professionalism and sensitivity to human rights within Iraq's security forces, policetrainers said, and have refused to share information about their activities.U.S. police advisors said the highway patrol was almost entirely Shiite and included a core of400 to 800 Badr militia members who make up the patrol's 4th Company, which was created lastyear."The 4th Company is filled by people with unconventional militia ties," said the U.S. militaryofficer who advises the Interior Ministry. "Minister Jabr is very supportive of them. The generalin charge [of the highway patrol] is very supportive of them."After the suspected death squad was stopped last month, U.S. police advisors said, fourmembers of the squad confessed to several sectarian killings.The highway patrol officers were asked, " 'Who are you doing this for?' " said a third U.S.military officer who is involved in training Iraqi troops and has knowledge of the interrogationsof the suspected death squad. "And they're telling us, 'Jabr.' " The rest of the squad, said theadvisor, has been released.Sunni Arab leaders complain that an earlier investigation into alleged police abuse has yet toshow results.In November, a U.S. Army unit discovered a secret detention and torture facility run by policeofficers affiliated with the Badr militia. In all, 169 people had been detained at the secret prison,and photos showed that some inmates had been severely beaten and malnourished.Jabr pledged to investigate the origin of the detention facility and the possible existence ofother secret prisons, even as he downplayed the abuse that had taken place there."OK, there were signs of torture … but there were no killings and no beheadings, as somehave said," Jabr told reporters in November.But inmates at the bunker compiled a list of 18 detainees who they said had been tortured todeath.Two U.S. Embassy officials said Monday that Iraqi authorities were conducting visits ofInterior Ministry jails and prisons, but declined to release details about the facilities.Kamal, the ministry's intelligence chief, said of the detention probe, "we are still investigatingthis, but it is better if we do this quietly, without any media."124