Abuse charges reduced against Abu Ghraib guard

A US military policewoman accused in the Abu Ghraib prison abuse scandal had the charges against her reduced yesterday as a set of pre-trial hearings wrapped up at an American base in Germany.

The decision by military prosecutors could significantly reduce jail time for Specialist Megan Ambuhl, one of seven Army reservists charged with abuse of Iraqi prisoners, if she is found guilty.

Two counts of cruelty and maltreatment and one of conspiracy had been added after the investigation against Ambuhl was completed, a step her lawyers argued was improper and added a possible three more years of prison time.