Abu Ghraib guard was rogue soldier, prosecution claims

8.20am

FORT BRAGG - Lynndie England was an undisciplined soldier who disobeyed orders to stop sleeping with a comrade, witnesses said on Wednesday as prosecutors sharpened their attack on the woman who outraged the Arab world when she was pictured holding a naked Iraqi prisoner on a leash.

At the second day of a military hearing to determine if England should stand trial for abusing detainees at Iraq's notorious Abu Ghraib prison, her supervisor testified England was late for work, left early and disobeyed orders confining her to a life of "work, chow and church."

Prosecutors have attempted to portray England as a rogue soldier, in keeping with President George W Bush's statement that the abuse of prisoners, which hampered the United States war effort in Iraq, was the fault of a small group.

"Her performance was not so good. She had a lack of discipline," Matthew Bolinger, her immediate superior at Abu Ghraib, told a military court at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

"One day we discovered that she was in bed with Corp. Graner," he added, referring to Charles Graner, who is also charged in the abuse scandal.

The 21-year-old England, who is pregnant, returned to court on Wednesday after missing part of Tuesday's session for an unscheduled doctor's visit. Media reports say the unborn child is Graner's.

England was charged along with six other military police reservists over the abuse of prisoners. She became the public face of the scandal when photographs depicting her holding an Iraqi on a leash and smiling as she pointed to a prisoner's genitals went around the world.

Wednesday's testimony from four members of England's 372nd Military Police Company, heard by telephone in the courtroom, served to sharpen the focus on the competing theories of prosecution and defence lawyers.

Prosecutors spotlighted England's personal behaviour and sloppy work record at Abu Ghraib.

Defence attorneys homed in on the actions of Military Intelligence in a bid to bolster England's claim she was only following orders to soften up prisoners for questioning.

Steven Strother described travelling to a Virginia beach with England and Graner in March 2003, where she romped topless at midnight. He said when he passed out back at their hotel, Graner took pictures of England with breasts exposed next to a sleeping Strother and Graner exposed his penis next to Strother's head, which England photographed.

"It was just a joke," he said.

England's behaviour at Abu Ghraib came in for close questioning. Bolinger said she was ordered several times to stop sleeping with Graner but disobeyed.

Felicia Nazelrod, England's roommate in the Abu Ghraib cell that served as their sleeping quarters, said England was frequently absent when she should have been sleeping.

"I just know she was away. I don't know where she was or what she did," Nazelrod said.

Prosecutors allege England spent some of that time with Graner at the cellblock where many of the abuse pictures were taken.

Throughout the two days of hearings, defence lawyers have focused on the role of Military Intelligence officers at Abu Ghraib, contending they were giving orders to MPs to soften up prisoners.

Shannon Snider said he was not directly ordered to do so but conceded he was "unclear" who was actually in charge of the cellblock at Abu Ghraib.

"We had MI trying to direct us," he said.

England faces numerous counts of abusing prisoners, committing indecent acts and disobeying orders. If convicted, she faces a dishonourable discharge and up to 38 years in prison.

- REUTERS

Herald Feature: Iraq