3 US soldiers linked to prison scandal defer entering pleas in arraignments

Three US soldiers who face charges linked to the prisoner abuse scandal at Aby Ghraib deferred entering pleas Wednesday during a series of arraignments in Baghdad, the CNN news network reported.

Specialist Charles Graner, Staff Sergeant Ivan Frederick and Sergeant Javal Davis all deferred pleas in the procedural hearings in a courtroom at the Baghdad Convention Center, located in the compound of the US-led coalition headquarters.

Colonel James Pohl, the only judge in the arraignments, ordered the three soldiers to return for a new hearing in Baghdad on June 21.

Graner is charged with conspiracy to maltreat detainees, dereliction of duty, maltreatment of detainees, assaulting detainees, indecent acts, adultery and obstruction of justice.

Frederick is charged with conspiracy to maltreat detainees, dereliction of duty, maltreatment of detainees and committing an indecent act.

Davis is charged with conspiracy to maltreat detainees, dereliction of duty, maltreatment of prisoners and falsifying statements to investigators.

Source: Xinhua