while waiting to visit his detained father outside Abu Ghraib prison
A lawyer defending a US soldier facing charges of abusing prisoners in Iraq has claimed he will seek to put US President Mr George W Bush, and the US Secretary of Defence Mr Donald Rumsfeld, on the witness stand.
Three soldiers charged with abuses at Abu Ghraib jail faced initial hearings in Baghdad today, reviving images of sexual and physical humiliation that sparked worldwide outrage.
The photographs of smirking American soldiers tormenting naked detainees have rocked the US military and prompted critics to argue that policies adopted in President George W. Bush's "war on terror" encouraged the cruelty.
The military has launched investigations into seven low-ranking suspects over the abuse at Abu Ghraib, which US officials have blamed on a few wayward individuals.
The hearing aims to resolve any outstanding legal issues before the court martial of the trio - Specialist Charles Graner, Staff Sergeant Ivan Frederick and Sergeant Javal Davis.
Judge Colonel James Pohl agreed to a request by the defence to interview Central Command chief John Abizaid and top Iraq commander Lieutenant General Ricardo Sanchez. One of the defence lawyers, Mr Paul Bergrin, said he would seek to put Mr Bush and Secretary of Defense Mr Donald Rumsfeld on the witness stand.
The start date for the court martial may be announced after the hearing. The three suspects have yet to plead.
Judge Pohl also agreed to a defence request that Abu Ghraib prison should not be demolished as it was a "crime scene". Mr Bush has said the prison will be torn down.