Prison abuse

Fresh testimony blames England

AFP, Fort Bragg
Fresh testimony tied Private Lynndie England to alleged abuse of Iraqi detainees at Abu Ghraib prison, but other conflicting details also emerged portraying an out-of-control jail.

In day three of England's hearing at Fort Bragg, a US Army investigator said soldiers in the 372nd Military Police Company implicated England in the abuse of prisoners last year.

England, 21, is known around the world for a photograph showing her holding a leash tied to the neck of a naked inmate. That picture and others like it forced an apology from President George W. Bush.

The hearing will decide if the pregnant soldier has to face a court martial and up to 38 years in jail. It is also trying to discover if she followed orders or acted of her own accord.

Army investigator Manora Iem told the court by telephone that he interviewed Iraqi inmates who claimed to have been abused.

"They described a soldier who fit the description of specialist England," he said, as England sat impassively in court.