detainees at Abu Ghraib prison, an episode that is believed to have added to Muslim extremist’s anger towards the American-led operation in Iraq and the country’s already embattled minority Christians.
Bloomberg news agency quoted U.S. Army spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Steven Boylan as saying that Frederick, the highest-ranking soldier to be convicted in connection with abuses at Abu Ghraib, will also be punished with a reduction in rank, forfeiture of pay and a dishonorable discharge from the Army.
"We take swift action and uphold military law," Boylan was quoted as saying when speaking by telephone from Camp Victory in Baghdad. "Someone did something wrong and was found guilty — pled guilty — and will spend eight years in prison.”
An original sentence of at least 10 years imposed on Frederick was reduced to eight because of a plea bargain, Boylan said. Frederick, 38, of Buckingham, Va, agreed to assist investigators and to testify in future cases involving mistreatment of prisoners at Abu Ghraib, abuses that came to light as the U.S. was trying to halt an insurgency and mobilize Iraqis behind democratic elections., news reports said.
MALTREATMENT
He reportedly pleaded guilty Wednesday, October 20, to conspiracy to maltreat detainees, dereliction of duty, maltreatment of detainees, assaulting a detainee and committing an indecent act. The Abu Ghraib scandal broke worldwide in April with the publication of photos and video that showed U.S. soldiers abusing Iraqi detainees.
These incidents lead to concerns among U.S. officials that militants would use the incidents for an excuse to increase their attacks against coalition forces and those supporting them. Iraqis, including Christians who were either helping or perceived to be supportive to the U.S.-led efforts in Iraq, have also been in the crossfire of the violence.
Thousands of Christians are believed to have fled Iraq in recent months, amid ongoing attacks against churches and individuals in which several people died. Christians have also been kidnapped by militants. There are an estimated 750,000 Christians in Iraq, roughly 3 percent of the population, although some organizations have given higher figures.
