"From the whole conversation, I understood that striking detainees was a common practice," a U.S. Marine sergeant said in a sworn statement obtained by The Associated Press.
"Everyone in the group laughed at the others' stories of beating detainees."
The Pentagon said Friday it will open independent investigation after a Marine's sworn statement revealed that guards at Guantanamo Bay bragged about beating detainees, describing it as a common practice.
The Marine further stated that she was informed by many guards whom she talked to at the base club that they routinely beat detainees held at Guantanamo.
The name of the Marine, who was at the U.S. Navy station in Cuba last month, was blacked out of a copy of a two-page affidavit obtained by The Associated Press.
She said she was invited by some Marines to visit their base club Sept. 23.
The woman said she sat with some 15 “guards” as they identified themselves to her, after they had invited her to join them.
One of the guards, 19-year old and referred to as Bo "told the other guards and me about him beating different detainees being held in the prison," the Marine said in the two-page statement which was sent Wednesday by a high-ranking Marine Corps defense lawyer to the Inspector General at the Department of Defense.
"One such story Bo told involved him taking a detainee by the head and hitting the detainee's head into the cell door. Bo said that his actions were known by others," the statement said.
Bo asserted that he was never subject to punishment.
Other guards "also told their own stories of abuse towards the detainees" that included hitting them, denying them water and "removing privileges for no reason."
"About 5 others in the group admitted hitting detainees" and that included "punching in the face," the affidavit said.
"From the whole conversation, I understood that striking detainees was a common practice," the sergeant wrote, adding that "everyone in the group laughed at the others stories of beating detainees."
The Pentagon said it’s "reviewing this affidavit and will investigate these allegations fully," according to Pentagon spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Chito Peppler.
On the other hand, Navy Cmdr. Robert Durand, spokesman for the Joint Task Force in charge of detention facilities at Guantanamo, said;
"The mission of the Joint Task Force is the safe and humane care and custody of detained enemy combatants. Abuse or harassment of detainees in any form is not condoned or tolerated," Navy Cmdr. Robert Durand said. "We will participate fully with the inspector general to learn the facts of the matter and will take action where misconduct is discovered."
AP obtained the statement Thursday night from Lt. Col. Colby Vokey, the Marine Corps' defense coordinator for the Western United States and based at Camp Pendleton.
Vokey described the abuse mentioned in the statement as "offensive and violates United States and international law."
No matter where we are,or how e are treated,well or oppred,we always seek HIS MERCY.
Inshallah,the men will be freed in time,and may their incarcaration strrengthen them towards the fight to come.
The Prophet Muhammad saw was kept under arrest in Mecca in the time of Jahiliayh,he never stoped preaching of the ONE GOD,while all around the poeple fornicate and worship Idols.
Steadfast and enduring,the rewards the Prophet seek is HIS PLEASURE.
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