Sentence in Death Of Iraqi Angers Son

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

Mohammed Mowhoush, the son of an Iraqi general who died in U.S. custody in late 2003, assailed the U.S. military yesterday for imposing a reprimand instead of prison time for an Army interrogator convicted in connection with his father's death, saying the United States has not properly administered justice.

Speaking by telephone from Iraq, Mowhoush, 18, decried the military jury's sentencing this week of Chief Warrant Officer Lewis E. Welshofer Jr. He emotionally recounted his own arrest and seeing his father shortly before he died in an interrogation room in northern Iraq.

A military jury convicted Welshofer of negligent homicide late Saturday, after hearing evidence that he was using an aggressive interrogation technique on Maj. Gen. Abed Hamed Mowhoush when the general stopped breathing.

"His punishment is not justice," Mohammed Mowhoush said in English, speaking to reporters on a conference call. "He must be punished more harder. At least 40 years."

More: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/24/AR2006012401544.html

[peacebird]

1. i agree that someome should do serious jail time

but - while i believe this man SHOULD have served time (negligient homicide it wasn't - manslaughter it was) the people who ultimately deserve serious jail time are those in his chain of command, and outside it (like the CIA) who were allowed to exert undue influence. Don't get me wrong - i do not exonerate this soldier - he obeyed illegal orders (the "out" all soldiers have for disobeying an order is if it is illegal) and killed a detainee, for that he deserves jail.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

2. This is an immensly complex situation.

Unfortunately, this country is on a "black or white" paradigm today.

Complex does not fit.

[peacebird]

3. it does seem quite cruel however that the only people going to jail

are the poor, ignorant low rank slobs who were zealous about "doing their duty" and were encouraged to be creative. Hell - this was probably trhe only time in their lives they felt empowered and useful. They went out of their way to please the guys on the sidelines egging them on. Just like this poor schmuck - even at his trial the "brave" folks he was serving (cough*cia*cough*cowards) hid behind a drape to be questioned.
His own general TOOK THE FIFTH.
What does that tell you?

:grr:

It is a complex situation, and an onion that no one in govt today has the courage to peel - layer to corrupted layer..

[Mnemosyne]

4. Someone should care

damn it.

Thank you TYJ.

In peace,
V

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

5. I think that's why reports like this make it in LBn (n/t)

[Mnemosyne]

6. I know you care, and most here care.

It is those that choose to remain silent and allow this to continue of which I speak. It is those that cannot take a moment to read and share in the sorrow of Mohammed Mowhoush. It is those *in charge* that waste the power they hold to serve some sort of justice that cause a rage in my soul.

In peace,
V