Iraq prisoner abuse US soldier on sex charges

A US soldier accused of abusing Iraqis at Baghdad’s Abu Ghraib prison faces more charges – this time for participating in sexually explicit photos.

Pfc Lynndie England was charged late Thursday with violating a general order “that prohibits the creation and possession of sexually-explicit photographs” and with four counts of indecent acts, the US Army said in a statement yesterday.

England, a soldier now assigned to Fort Bragg in North Carolina, is due in military court on Monday for a hearing on whether she should face a military trial in the case.

Spokesman Major Richard Patterson declined to give specifics of the new charges, saying details probably would be revealed at next week’s hearing.

“None of these five (additional) charges involved Iraqi detainees or Iraqi nationals,” Major Patterson said.

Before the new charges, England faced 13 counts. She was charged with assaulting detainees, conspiracy, committing indecent acts and taking photos and posing prisoners in photos.

If convicted on the original charges, she faced a dishonourable discharge and up to 15 years in prison. Army officials did not know how much the additional charges could add to a sentence.

Her lawyers have said previously that she was only doing what she was ordered to do, and that her actions were sanctioned at higher levels.

The Washington Post reported it had obtained images of England undressed and in sexual poses with a male soldier.

Spc Charles Graner Jr, 35, another soldier in England’s unit, was seen in some photos, The Post reported.

Graner has been charged with abuses and was involved in a romantic relationship with England, 21.

He also faces adultery charges for allegedly having sex with England last October. England is pregnant with Graner’s child, her lawyers have said.

Richard Hernandez, a lawyer on England’s defence team, told The Post the photos were personal and had nothing to do with the prison abuse charges.

England, a support specialist, is one of six soldiers who still face charges in the scandal. Spc Jeremy Sivits, has already pleaded guilty and been sentenced to a year in prison.

All seven soldiers charged in the abuse scandal are from the 372nd Military Police Company, an Army Reserve unit from Maryland.