Lynndie 'a scapegoat' in prisoner abuse scandal

Lawyers for Army Reservist Lynndie England claim she is being used as a scapegoat in the Iraqi prison abuse scandal, and they hope a military hearing this week will allow them to question senior officials they believe are responsible.

In a hearing expected to begin in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, today, England’s lawyers will make the case that the 21-year-old soldier was following orders when she was photographed mocking naked detainees at Abu Ghraib prison.

Photographs made public in May showed the petite Army reservist smiling and pointing at naked detainees, flashing a thumbs-up and, in one shot, holding a detainee on a dog leash.

The pictures caused widespread outrage, particularly in the Arab world.

“The government has levelled their sights on Ms England,” civilian defence lawyer Rhidian Orr said. “I feel that the US government is taking full control of the issue and attacking Ms England when she’s not necessarily to blame.”

Though potential witnesses include Vice President Dick Cheney, Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and top generals, military officials say it is doubtful they will appear.

England, 21, of Fort Ashby, West Virginia, is charged with abusing prisoners, disobeying an order and indecent acts.

Six charges stem from “the creation and possession of sexually explicit photographs”. Army officials have said those photographs do not involve Iraqi prisoners.

The maximum total sentence is 38 years in prison.

England is one of seven reservists charged in the Abu Ghraib scandal. Specialist Jeremy Sivits, has already pleaded guilty and been sentenced to a year in prison.

Another soldier in England’s unit, Specialist Charles Graner, has also been charged with abuses. He was involved in a relationship with England and faces adultery charges.

England was visibly pregnant in court last month, and her lawyers have said the child is Graner’s. She has been assigned to a desk job at Fort Bragg since she returning to the United States.