Iraqis Furious at 'Lenient' Abu Ghraib Abuse Sentence

By Jenny Booth Timesonline UK Wednesday 28 September 2005

Iraqis have reacted furiously to the three-year jail sentence imposed on Lynndie England, the US soldier pictured holding a naked Iraqi inmate on a leash at Abu Ghraib prison, provoking outrage across the world.

England, 22, was convicted on six counts of abuse while working as a prison guard, but was acquitted of a charge of conspiracy. Last night she was jailed and dishonorably discharged from the US Army, but ordinary Iraqis said that it was not enough. They said the sentence exposed American hypocrisy, as it would have been more harsh had she been convicted of abusing Americans.

"America should be ashamed of this sentence. This is the best evidence that Americans have double standards," said Akram Abdel Amir, a retired bus driver in Baghdad.

"There are Iraqis in jail without any charge, just based on suspicion. But when it comes to Americans, the matter is totally different."

The charges against her carried a maximum of nine years but Captain Chris Graveline, for the prosecution, asked the jury for a sentence of four to six years. "Who can think of a person who has disgraced the United States Army more?" he asked.

Muntasser Abdel Moneim, 30, an Iraqi laborer, commented: "If the abuse was committed against Americans I am sure the sentence would be much harsher. The sentence is nothing compared to what she has done."

Iraqis were particularly incensed by the picture of England holding an inmate on a leash like a dog, a degrading act because Muslims regard dogs as unclean. In Iraq's male-dominated society the idea of men being abused by a woman was said to be particularly humiliating.

"There is no justice in this sentence because the pictures were very shameful. She has to get more years in jail and she has to be imprisoned in Iraq," said Najaat al-Azawi, 55, a retired engineer.

In her testimony England blamed Charles Graner, the ringleader of the abuse at Abu Ghraib and father of her child. Graner is serving a ten-year sentence for his role. He is now married to another female soldier found guilty of the abuse.

England told the court that Graner had used her, and she was embarrassed by the photos. "I trusted him and I loved him," she said. England's mother briefly visited the military courtroom with the 11-month-old baby, Carter, who bears a striking resemblance to his father.

Munir Abdel Sahib, a university lecturer, said that England's trial was mere theatre. "The Americans want to pretend they defend human rights and are a civilized nation," he said. "I believe that England would not have committed these crimes without orders from above."

Hussein Ali, who owns a grocery store, praised the fact that England had faced trial but said that justice was not served. "It means the Americans can get away with everything in Iraq. Three years is not enough for what she has done."

US forces are holding about 11,800 prisoners in Iraq, including 4,000 at Abu Ghraib. The Iraqi justice minister has complained that too many are being wrongfully detained for too long without due process.

Yesterday England apologized for her actions and said that she remained an American patriot. "After the photos were released, I've heard that attacks were made on US forces," she told the jury of five army officers at her trial in Texas. She apologized to "detainees, the families, America and all the soldiers".

Her case was the latest prosecution of low-level soldiers who served at Abu Ghraib. The military has reprimanded a few higher-ranking officers, but none has faced criminal charges.