US soldier 'karate-kicked Iraqi prisoner'

A US marine reservist has appeared at a military court hearing on charges that he karate-kicked an Iraqi prisoner who later died.

Sgt Gary Pittman is facing a general court-martial for abusing a 52-year-old Iraqi at a US Marine detention facility in southern Iraq known as Camp Whitehorse.

Over a three-day period, prosecutors say, the prisoner Nagem Sadoon Hatab was punched, karate-kicked and dragged by the throat. When he was found dead, he had been lying naked, covered in his own faeces, for hours.

Pittman faces two charges of dereliction of duty and four counts of assault. His three-week court-martial is scheduled to begin in August.

Yesterday’s hearing at Camp Pendleton, California, reviewed a series of defence motions seeking records and witnesses they argue are needed to help clear Pittman. Defence lawyers also have requested a delay in the case.

The judge, Colonel Robert Chester, put back his rulings on the motions until July 8.

Pittman has a civilian job in the Metropolitan Detention Centre, a federal prison in New York City.

More than 40 witnesses are expected to testify at Pittman’s court-martial.

Major Clark Paulus, who commanded the detention camp at the time of Hatab’s death, is also facing a general court-martial in September for dereliction of duty, a charge of assault, and two charges of cruelty and maltreatment.

A total of eight reservists have been accused of mistreating Iraqi prisoners at Camp Whitehorse, a makeshift jail near Nasiriyah. Three reservists were ordered to face special courts-martial, a lesser level of punishment.