GI's reprimanded for forcing prisoners to jump into river

Four American soldiers have been reprimanded for forcing Iraqi prisoners to jump in the Tigris River last year, a military spokesman said today.

Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Budzyna said none of the prisoners died when they were ordered to leap into the river by soldiers from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team from fort Carson on Colorado.

He refused to provide other details about the incident, including the number of prisoners involved.

Budzyna did confirm that members of another Fort Carson unit, the 3rd Armored Calvary Regiment, are being questioned about the deaths of two Iraqi prisoners: Major General Abed Hamed Mowhoush, 57, who was captured by the regiment in October, and Abdul Jaleel, 46.

The military has said Mowhoush died during interrogation on November 26 from asphyxiation due to smothering and chest compression. The CIA said one of its agents may have been involved and referred the case to the Justice Department.

Jaleel died in January at a post near Al Asad, Iraq, of blunt force injuries and asphyxia, the Army said last week. The facility was the base camp of the 3rd Armored Cavalry.

Allegations of abuse at the hands of US soldiers have drawn worldwide outrage. Seven Americans face military charges in connection with the abuse of detainees at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq.