And the hits keep on coming

Laith al-Ani is a ordinary Iraqi who spent nearly two and half years in American custody after the illegal invasion. He was interred as a "security threat" but the reason was never explained, although an Iraqi uniform was found in his house during a weapons search, and he was released in January of this year it was because someone, somewhere had determined that he was no longer a threat. Again this was never explained. When the Americans were preparing him for release he was given a piece of paper with two options on it and asked to tick one which described his treatment. The options were:

I didn’t go through any abuse during detention.

I have gone through abuse during detention.

Mr. al-Ani ticked the first option, as suggested by the translator, as he feared what would occur if he ticked the second, which he felt was the appropriate answer. One wonders why the American forces felt such a statement was required and whether they believe that they are receiving any honest responses.

The number of Iraqis in American, rather than Iraqi, detention now exceeds 15,000. The current level is higher than it has been since the war started.