AP: U.S. to Probe Iraq Scientist's Death

AP ^ | Mar 24, 1:52 PM EST | CHARLES J. HANLEY

[rightalien]

NEW YORK (AP) -- The U.S. Army says it has reopened an investigation into the suspected bludgeoning death of a key Iraqi scientist in American custody, a chemist who allegedly experimented with poisons on prisoners in the days of Saddam Hussein.

Mohammad Munim al-Izmerly, 65, is the only known weapons scientist among at least 96 detainees who have died in U.S. custody in Iraq. Questions have surrounded the death ever since his body was dropped off at a Baghdad hospital in February 2004, two weeks after he died.

When it first came to light in press reports last May, the U.S. military, newly under fire for prisoner abuse in Iraq, refused to answer queries about the chemist's death. Now, months later, the Army says an investigation has begun.

"The case was initially closed, but after further investigative review a determination was made to reopen the investigation," Army spokesman Christopher Grey told The Associated Press.

[rightalien]

"experimented with poisons on prisoners in the days of Saddam Hussein."

My heart bleeds for this poor guy, it's really not nice of our troops to try to get some answer about his activity which resulted unknown number of death and were dangerous to our troops.

(I hope you know: it's sarcasm)

[Boundless]

> "experimented with poisons on prisoners in the days of Saddam Hussein."

This guy could easily have been killed by other prisoners
who knew who he was. The assailants might even have
included his test subjects or their relatives.

If he concealed his past from the wardens, they'd have had
no way to know not to let him mingle with the population.

[Sthitch]

I am sure that a couple of Kurds or Shiites were the last people to see him alive.