US steps up probe into latest Iraq prisoner pics

US Navy SEALs are stepping up their investigation into recently-published photographs that show freshly-captured prisoners and grinning commandos sitting or lying on hooded and handcuffed detainees in Iraq.

Following a preliminary inquiry, senior SEAL officials have decided to take a more thorough look at the circumstances surrounding some of the photos, Navy Cmdr Jeff Bender said. Some of the images also show the bloodied faces of detainees.

The investigation, which will take up to a month, could result in disciplinary proceedings.

The preliminary inquiry by a single US navy investigator found that the majority of the 15 photographs published on December 3 by Associated Press were taken for legitimate intelligence-gathering purposes and showed commandos using approved procedures, Bender said.

He cited as an example a photo in which a weapon with a flashlight attached is pointed at a detainee’s head to illuminate his face as another commando took a photo.

But other photos appear to show Navy SEALs posing for photos on top of hooded and handcuffed detainees in the back of a pick-up truck. Bender would not comment on the pick-up truck photos, citing the continuing investigation.

Bender said some SEALs had been called in for questioning during the preliminary inquiry, which was launched after AP brought the photos to the Navy.

An AP reporter found 40 photos of detainees on a commercial photo-sharing website. They were among hundreds posted by a woman who said her husband brought them back from Iraq.

Taking photos of prisoners for administrative or intelligence purposes is an exception to US navy regulations that generally ban photos of prisoners of war.

US Naval Special Warfare Group One, which oversees four SEAL teams based in Coronado, California, will take over the investigation. A new investigating officer will be assigned to handle the case.

Bender refused to say which of the SEAL teams was involved. However, some other photos show the insignia and patches of Seal Team Five, which is based in Coronado.

Date stamps on some of the photos suggest they were taken in May 2003. That would make them the earliest evidence of possible abuse or questionable handling of prisoners in Iraq.