New torture allegations

last updated 8 January 2015

Baghdad

Soldiers of the 82nd Airborne in Iraq routinely beat up Iraqi prisoners for fun, three members of the unit told Human Rights Watch. In a report released this week, the international watchdog group quoted a captain and two sergeants who said commanders ignored abuse of prisoners, some of whom had their bones intentionally broken and their eyes doused with burning chemicals. “Everyone in camp knew if you wanted to work out your frustration, you show up at the PUC tent,” said one of the sergeants, using the lingo that stands for “persons under control.” Prisoner beatings, the report said, became known as “F--- a PUC.” The captain said his superiors refused to investigate his complaints over 17 months, until he contacted members of Congress. The Army said it has launched a criminal investigation.