Graner convicted; Abu Ghraib closure?

The big news this week is that Spec. Graner, who undeniably practiced sadistic abuses against Iraqi prisoners, some of whom were common criminals and not objects of "interrogation," was convicted of 17 of 25 charges of abuse of prisoners. That makes him the fifth to be held responsible for abuses in Iraq. The other four indictments ended with guilty pleas.

He was the first to attempt to contest the charges against him in court. The prosecution painted him as a sadistic bully who tortured for "sport." In his last comments to the press Spec. Graner lashed out, claiming he made complaints to superiors about the conditions of detention and that the civilian contractors taught the military police how to abuse the prisoners. He now is awaiting sentencing, the maximum sentence is 15 years.

In other news, overshadowed by Spec. Graner's trial, was the indication by the US Military that plans are in the works to shut down Abu Ghraib prison and move the Coalition's major detention center to a remote prison near the Kuwati border.