*Ø* Blogmanac | Up to 90% of Iraqi detainees arrested by mistake, Red Cross says

[Further to Pip's post below]

Chicago Sun-Times:

"GENEVA -- Up to 90 percent of Iraqi detainees were arrested 'by mistake', according to coalition intelligence officers cited in a Red Cross report disclosed Monday.

"Abuse of Iraqi prisoners by American soldiers was widespread and routine, the report finds -- contrary to President Bush's contention that the mistreatment 'was the wrongdoing of a few'...

"The report said some military intelligence officers estimated 'between 70 percent and 90 percent' of the detainees in Iraq had been arrested by mistake.

"The agency said arrests allegedly tended to follow a pattern.

"'Sometimes they arrested all adult males present in a house, including elderly, handicapped or sick people,' it said.

"It was unclear what the Red Cross meant by 'mistake.' However, many Iraqis over the past year have claimed they were arrested by American forces because of misunderstandings, bogus claims by personal enemies, mistaken identity or simply for having been at the wrong place at the wrong time."

Source