US military releases 500 prisoners

[cal04]

THE US military overnight had released about 500 prisoners cleared of ties to Iraq's insurgency, including a pair of journalists who had been held in Iraqi prisons for months, US military officials said. Majed Hameed, an Iraqi reporter for the Dubai-based Al-Arabiya, was released after four months in US custody, US Army Brigadier-General Mark Kimmitt said during a visit to Al-Arabiya's headquarters in Dubai.

Ali al-Mashhadani, a photographer, was also freed in the mass release of 500 prisoners from Abu Ghraib prison west of Baghdad. Al-Mashhadani had been jailed since August. In Baghdad, US military spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Barry Johnson confirmed the two journalists were among those released after being cleared by the Iraqi and US Combined Review and Release Board.

General Kimmitt was greeted in Dubai by protesters carrying placards decrying the US military's arrest of Mr Hameed and other reporters. General Kimmitt said Mr Hameed had been a suspect threat and was held until he was cleared. The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists said US troops detained Mr Hameed on September 15 in Iraq's insurgent haven of Anbar province, and Mr al-Mashhadani was held since being taken on August 8 by US Marines who raided his home.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,17835387%255E1702,00.html

[Earth_First]

1. In related news: Iraqi resistance to occupying forces swells

(while U.S. forces face recruiting shortfall)

[Libby2]

2. Maybe the journalists will speak out n /t

[cantstandbush]

3. They are probably more afraid of US military than insurgents.

It would be nice if they would speak out.