Human rights group to sue over Iraq abuse claims

A racketeering lawsuit filed by human rights lawyers accuses US civilian contractors at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq of conspiring to execute, rape and torture prisoners to boost corporate profits from military payments.

Some of the new abuse allegations were among the cruellest described so far.

One person, identified in court documents as an inmate named Rasheed, told lawyers his tongue was shocked with electricity and his toenails pulled out. Another prisoner, identified as Ahmed, said he was made watch while his 63-year-old father, Ibrahiem, was tortured to death.