HRW: Prisoners tortured in secret Baghdad prison

A secret prison is still operating in Baghdad, where torture is carried out on prisoners held there illegally, Human Rights Watch has announced. The Iraqi authorities denied the allegations. HRW: Prisoners tortured in secret Baghdad prison But the human rights organization said it based its latest report into the matter on interviews with 35 former inmates, their relatives and lawyers, as well as with government officials who described the interrogation methods currently used. "Iraqi security forces detain people outside the law, without trial or charges, and hide them in places where they are not allowed any communication," said HRW Deputy Director for the Middle East Joe Stork. He called on the Iraqi authorities to immediately publish the names of all detainees and places where they are being hidden, and to release those who have not been formally accused. The report caused additional concern, because the Iraqi government took control of the prison system in the country after the departure of U.S. troops in December. The Iraqi Ministry of Human Rights rejected the claims from the report, noting that the prison in question was "shut down more than a year ago" and that the allegations were "untrue". The prison is located in the so-called Green Zone in central Baghdad, that also houses government buildings and foreign embassies. Tanjug

HRW: Prisoners tortured in secret Baghdad prison

But the human rights organization said it based its latest report into the matter on interviews with 35 former inmates, their relatives and lawyers, as well as with government officials who described the interrogation methods currently used.

"Iraqi security forces detain people outside the law, without trial or charges, and hide them in places where they are not allowed any communication," said HRW Deputy Director for the Middle East Joe Stork.

He called on the Iraqi authorities to immediately publish the names of all detainees and places where they are being hidden, and to release those who have not been formally accused.

The report caused additional concern, because the Iraqi government took control of the prison system in the country after the departure of U.S. troops in December.

The Iraqi Ministry of Human Rights rejected the claims from the report, noting that the prison in question was "shut down more than a year ago" and that the allegations were "untrue".

The prison is located in the so-called Green Zone in central Baghdad, that also houses government buildings and foreign embassies.