Guard Unit Probed in Abuse Allegations
The company, comprising about 130 soldiers, is stationed at Forward Operating Base Falcon outside Baghdad and has been put on restricted duty while the Army reviews its performance. Lt. Col. Patrick Frey, the battalion's commander, has been suspended.
"There are unanswered questions — for example, how did it get to this point — and that's what the investigation is for," said Capt. Daniel Markert, commander of the battalion's rear detachment in Modesto.
The Los Angeles Times, citing several sources who spoke on condition of anonymity, reported Wednesday that the investigation appeared to deal with allegations that an electric stun gun was used to abuse or torture Iraqi detainees after an insurgent attack in June.
One soldier told the newspaper that the use of a stun gun on a man who had been handcuffed and blindfolded was videotaped.
In addition, at least six soldiers in the battalion are alleged to have extorted money from Iraqi business owners, apparently in exchange for protection from insurgents. The payments allegedly exceeded $30,000 and were made in U.S. currency, the newspaper said.