US soldier to face May trial for abuse

The court martial of a US soldier charged with mistreating Iraqi detainees in a prison west of Baghdad is scheduled to begin …

The court martial of a US soldier charged with mistreating Iraqi detainees in a prison west of Baghdad is scheduled to begin on May 19th and will be open to the public, a US military spokesman said today.

General Mark Kimmitt told reporters that Specialist Jeremy Sivits faced three charges including the maltreatment of detainees at the Abu Ghraib prison and conspiracy to maltreat subordinates and detainees.

"Court martials are open to the public," he added. The court martial would be held in Baghdad, subject to final approval, he added.