I have seen some blog postings in favor of this, but personally, I think its ridiculous. What jurisdiction does Germany have? Are any of the abused prisoners German citizens? According to the article:
New legal documents, to be filed next week with Germany’s top prosecutor, will seek a criminal investigation and prosecution of Rumsfeld, along with Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, former CIA director George Tenet and other senior U.S. civilian and military officers, for their alleged roles in abuses committed at Iraq’s Abu Ghraib prison and at the U.S. detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
The plaintiffs in the case include 11 Iraqis who were prisoners at Abu Ghraib, as well as Mohammad al-Qahtani, a Saudi held at Guantanamo, whom the U.S. has identified as the so-called “20th hijacker” and a would-be participant in the 9/11 hijackings.
Hmmmm. …..no mention of Germany there.
Ahhh……here it is:
Germany was chosen for the court filing because German law provides “universal jurisdiction” allowing for the prosecution of war crimes and related offenses that take place anywhere in the world.
Well, sounds to me like more people who are mad about the war looking to take thier frustrations out on Rumsfeld.
Exclusive: Charges Sought Against Rumsfeld Over Prison Abuse
A lawsuit in Germany will seek a criminal prosecution of the outgoing Defense Secretary and other U.S. officials for their alleged role in abuses at Abu Ghraib and Gitmo
TIME.com: Exclusive: Charges Sought Against Rumsfeld Over Prison Abuse
November 11th, 2006 at 1:24 pm
I’m in favor of Rummy getting charged, but not foolish enough to think he ever will be. The only way he goes to prison is if the Democrats come after him.