Iraqi army leaders frustrated with detainee rules

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Iraqi army leaders frustrated with detainee rules
By Sean Kimmons, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Wednesday, August 27, 2008

BAQOUBA, Iraq — Recently reinforced rules on detainees have made it difficult to prosecute suspects, according to Iraqi army commanders in this area.

According to Iraqi law, a suspect can only be held for 24 hours. When that time ends and the suspect has not confessed, had two witnesses against him or was not found on a wanted list, the suspect goes free.

"It’s not right," said an Iraqi army lieutenant colonel, who commands the 1st Battalion of 1st Brigade, 1st Iraqi Army Division. "One day is not enough. We need at least a week."

The officer, who didn’t give his name out of fear of retribution, said his unit detained 14 suspects last week. Five of them had to be released because there were no witnesses for them.

"We were convinced that all these guys were al-Qaida," he said.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=57012