Four U.S. Soldiers Charged With Abuse (Iraq)

[Rose Siding]

Four U.S. Soldiers Charged With Abuse

WASHINGTON -- The military has charged four U.S. soldiers with abusing prisoners of war in Iraq. The soldiers and their families deny the accusations.

The four military police from a Pennsylvania-based Army Reserve unit are accused of punching, kicking and breaking bones of prisoners at Camp Bucca, the largest U.S.-run POW camp in Iraq.

The soldiers, charged this month, are the first U.S. troops known to face charges of abusing prisoners during the Iraq conflict.

The military's investigation continues, said Lt. Cmdr. Nick Balice, a spokesman for U.S. Central Command. Balice confirmed four soldiers had been charged as part of that investigation but said he could not release their names.

The soldiers say their actions were in self-defense when Iraqi prisoners attacked them.

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