http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/21/international/middleeast/21CND-ABUS.html?ex=1088481600&?en=8bce1179992e7cb8&?ei=5062&?partner=GOOGLEBAGHDAD, Iraq, June 21 — Three American soldiers accused in the Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse scandal faced initial hearings in Baghdad today, and the judge said their lawyers could interview top commanders as part of the defense.
The judge, Col. James Pohl, also declared that the prison was a "crime scene" and should not be demolished as suggested by President Bush after the prison scandal broke in April.
Today's hearings dealt with legal issues involving Sgt. Javal S. Davis, Staff Sgt. Ivan L. Frederick II and Specialist Charles A. Graner Jr., who were arraigned in May on charges stemming from their suspected abuse of Iraqi prisoners and who face general courts-martial.
Motions in Sergeant Frederick's hearing were rescheduled today for next month, because he declined to waive his right to civilian representation after his civilian lawyer did not appear.
The judge granted the defense request to interview top officials in the chain of command, including Gen. John P. Abizaid, the commander of American forces in the Middle East, Lt. Gen. Ricardo S. Sanchez, the ground commander in Iraq, and others.
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Lawyers also asked to be provided with Justice Department and Pentagon memorandums on what treatment is acceptable for detainees and when the Geneva Conventions are applied. The judge denied the requests.
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