While the United States has yet to conclude the investigation into allegation put by a former Afghan police officer last week its army was notified with another allegation of detainee abuse, US military spokesman said Saturday.   

 

"This is another allegation comes to light since an investigation started upon a notification of the previous allegation," Tucker Masanger told reporters at a regular news briefing in Kabul.

 

The new allegation came into light just after one week when Syed Nabi Sidiqui, a former local police officer alleged that he was stripped naked, sexually assaulted and beaten by US soldiers at their base in Gardiz 90 km southeast of the capital.

 

"Thursday, coalition leaders were notified of another allegation of detainee abuse and immediately launched investigation into this matter," the US officer added without elaboration.

 

"We did not receive from the person that alleges the abuse. We received from the second source," the spokesman replied when asked to identify the accuser.

 

However, he said that the investigation was going on by the US army's Criminal Investigated Division.

 

"The investigation will be thoroughly completed and when it draws its conclusion appropriate action will be taken against anybody involved in detainee abuse," he responded to a query.

 

Asked to comment about the duration of the investigation, the officer retorted: "I do not know how long the investigation will take as I am not the member of investigation team."

 

According to Afghan sources and media reports, at least three Afghans have died inside US custody since early 2002 at Kunar and Bagram respectively.

 

Bagram 50 km north of Kabul has been the headquarters of US-led coalition forces in Afghanistan since the collapse of Taliban regime in late 2001.

 

Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission, the only watchdog in the post-Taliban country in a request last week sought access to American detention centers here but it has yet to be accepted by the US military.

 

On the possible access of Afghan Human Rights Commission to the US holding facilities, Masanger said: "We view the International Committee of Red Cross as the sole international organization that is charged with looking after the prisoners under the control."

 

(Xinhua News Agency May 17, 2004)