Families of Iraq prisoners wait outside prison ahead inmate release promis

[Judi Lynn]

Families of Iraq prisoners wait outside prison ahead inmate release promised by U.S.
By Sarah El Deeb, Associated Press, 1/8/2004 07:18


BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) Hundreds of angry Iraqis waited outside Baghdad's infamous Abu Ghraib prison Thursday for the promised release of prisoners detained in the insurgency. One U.S. soldier died of injuries suffered in a mortar attack that wounded 33 other troops and one civilian.

Also Thursday, people foiled an attack on Baghdad's police headquarters by chasing away men preparing to launch rockets near a soccer stadium, according to Maj. Roger Hedgepeth of the 18th Military Police Brigade. Authorities confiscated the rockets.

At Abu Ghraib, hundreds of people waited in frustration for hours, hoping relatives would be among the first detainees that coalition officials said would be freed in what U.S. officials portrayed as a goodwill gesture. U.S. guards said they had no orders to release anyone, and an Iraqi lawyer, Mohammed al-Tamimi, expressed doubt anyone would be freed Thursday.

''Liars! Liars! They won't let them out!'' a woman screamed as she emerged from the prison. Others railed against ''unjust arrests'' among the thousands of people rounded up by U.S. and coalition troops and held without detention or charge.
(snip/...)

http://www.boston.com/dailynews/008/world/Families_of_Iraq_prisoners_wai:.shtml

[jpgray]

1. Yikes.

These people are held without any charge, and it is despicable. At least I had hoped some would be released now, but apparently that is not the case anymore?

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/7692C8EF-3BD4-4181-A075-81E20FC1236D.htm

[enough]

2. NPR this morning.

NPR's story about this event this morning included the fact that Iraqis in the crowd are saying "The Americans are as bad as Saddam."

I thought it was amazing that such sentiments would be reported on any mainstream media here.

The reporter, Anne Garrells (sp?) also said that this release was being handled badly and actually stirring up even more resentment. All the family members say that thier relatives were arrested unjustly "for being at the wrong place at the wrong time."

[jmcgowanjm]

3. US frees Iraqis after British protest

http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,1118284,00.html

and SH's secretary has died in US custody