New images of Abu Ghraib abuse aired

February 15, 2006

An Australian television network aired previously unpublished video and photographs on Wednesday of what it said was the abuse of Iraqis in US military custody at Abu Ghraib prison in 2003, including a man beating his head against a cell door.

The images of naked prisoners, some bloodied and lying on the floor, were taken about the same time as earlier photos that sparked protests and outrage in the Middle East in 2004, the Special Broadcasting Services' "Dateline" programme reported.

SBS refused to give details on the source of the photos and video clips but said they were among those the American Civil Liberties Union was trying to obtain from the US government under a Freedom of Information request.

Several new images broadcast appeared to show former Cpl Charles Graner, Jr, who is serving a 10-year prison term at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, after being convicted of abusing Iraqi captives.

The authenticity of the images shown by SBS could not be independently confirmed, but they were consistent with the earlier photographs of abuse by American soldiers, which prompted a US congressional investigation and military trials for some soldiers involved.

Many of the images were more graphic than those previously published, including some showing what appear to be corpses of people who SBS said had died at the prison.

In Washington, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said he did not know whether US officials had reviewed the photos and video clips or whether they were among images the Pentagon has been withholding from public release since 2004.

Watch a video montage here: