Members of a California Army National Guard company that was placed on restrictive duty in Iraq after being implicated in the latest detainee abuse scandal have trained and conducted joint operations with Iraqi police forces, including an elite unit accused of brutality.
The Wolf Brigade of the Iraqi police is famous in Iraq for staging daring raids in Mosul and Baghdad and for its commander, known as Maj. Gen. Abu Walid, who became a national celebrity after he hosted televised "confessions" of alleged insurgents captured by the group. Critics of the forces say they use torture to coerce confessions from suspected insurgents.
Military officials said Wednesday that they did not know whether the company's association with Iraqi special forces had anything to do with the allegations of detainee abuse.
The relationship between Fullerton-based Alpha Company and Iraq's special police forces came to light during a second day of revelations about the troubled 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry Regiment, which includes about 680 soldiers. The guardsmen have been in Iraq since January.
Investigators are focusing in part on five soldiers in 2nd Platoon, Alpha Company, who have already been charged with abusing Iraqi detainees.
Members of three of four active companies in the battalion are being investigated for their alleged role in mistreating Iraqi prisoners and engaging in inappropriate financial agreements with local shopkeepers, according to military officials.
The most egregious case of detainee abuse reported so far occurred after a June insurgent attack, when soldiers allegedly tortured Iraqi detainees with an electric stun gun. At least one instance of abuse was recorded on video, military sources said.
As many as 17 soldiers are under investigation for mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners and at least six others have been charged with dereliction of duty. Lt. Col. Patrick Frey, the battalion commander, has been suspended pending the investigation.
In addition to Alpha Company, military officials are investigating soldiers with Bravo Company of Dublin, Calif., and Delta Company of Oakdale, Calif., for possible violations of military conduct.
Lt. Col. Cliff Kent, spokesman for the 3rd Infantry Division in Iraq, and Capt. Daniel Markert, commander of the battalion's rear detachment, confirmed that 1st Sgt. Robert Jones, a soldier with Delta Company, was relieved of duty several weeks ago. Sources said he is accused of threatening an Iraqi detainee by shooting at a water heater during an interrogation.
