Dutch military intelligence officers tortured Iraqi prisoners: daily
Iraq-Netherlands, Politics, 11/18/2006

Dutch military intelligence officers tortured Iraqi prisoners three years ago, German media cited the Dutch Volkskrant newpaper as saying yesterday.

According to the report, dozens of Iraqi prisoners had been abused by members of the Dutch Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD) who used brutal interrogation methods such as sleep deprivation, bright lights and loud noise.

A Dutch Defense Ministry spokesman confirmed that incidents took place in Iraq which were not in compliance with the rules.

"Things happened that do not accord with instructions," Defense Ministry information director Joop Veen told the newspaper.

Reacting to the latest report, Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende expressed "shock" over the torture incident.

"If all these facts are true, it is shocking," Balkenende told Dutch national public radio.

The chief of the defense staff at the time, Admiral Luuk Kroon, had been informed in November 2003 of tensions over the treatment of prisoners among Dutch forces based in the Muthanna Province in southern Iraq.

Some 1,500 troops were withdrawn in May 2005 when the two-year Dutch mission to Iraq ended.

Previous Stories:
  Iraqi president to depart for Iran next week   (11/18/2006)
  White House responds to democratic phased Iraq withdrawal idea   (11/13/2006)
  Speaker: Iran favors independence and peace in Iraq   (11/13/2006)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search