US soldier faces court martial over abuse

A 24-YEAR-OLD US military policeman will be the first soldier to face a court martial in connection with the abuse of Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib prison.

Specialist Jeremy Sivits, a member of the 372nd Military Police Company, will stand trial in Baghdad on May 19, Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt said.

Sivits has been charged with conspiracy to maltreat subordinates and detainees, dereliction of duty for negligently failing to protect detainees from abuse and cruelty and maltreatment of the detainees.