An American general, in charge of US-run prisons in Iraq when the abuse of prisoners took place, has been suspended as commander of the military police brigade at the heart of the scandal and removed from active duty, the army said on Monday. Brig Gen Janis Karpinski, who had commanded the 800th Military Police Brigade, was suspended from her duties, said Lt Col Pamela Hart, an army spokeswoman at the Pentagon. Karpinski previously was formally admonished on January 17 by Lt Gen Ricardo Sanchez, the top US commander in Iraq. The army returned Karpinski on Monday to the Army Reserve from active-duty status, said Al Schilf, an Army Reserve spokesman. In addition, Karpinski no longer serves as commander of her Uniondale, New York-based brigade, and was âtemporarily attachedâ to the US Army Readiness Command at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, Schilf said.
The army was seeking an âacting commanderâ of the brigade, Schilf said. Schilf, however, said that the latest action âis not a punitive measureâ, but a temporary reassignment of duties, pending review of her situation by Lt Gen James Helmly, head of the Army Reserve. Seven US soldiers have been charged with abusing Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib on the outskirts of Baghdad. Army Maj Gen Antonio Tagubaâs report on the abuse faulted Karpinskiâs âpoor leadershipâ. Asked whether Karpinski could face criminal charges, Schilf did not answer directly, but said, âThis action doesnât close any doors.â
| But I doubt if she will. Incompetence usually isn't a criminal offense. |
âItâs under review now,â Schilf said of possible further steps regarding Karpinski. Karpinski, who has served in the Army for 27 years, has argued that the cellblocks where the abuse was centred were controlled by US military intelligence, not military police. |