US Slammed for Secret 'Floating Prisons'

Prisoners held far from courts and scrutiny, human rights group charges
By Laurel Jorgensen,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 2, 2008 5:07 AM CDT
US Slammed for Secret 'Floating Prisons'
As many as 17 US Navy ships have been used to detain suspected terrorists since 2001, the human rights group Reprieve charges.   (AP Photo)

The US has detained terror suspects on some 17 naval ships that have been used as secret "floating prisons" around the world since 2001, according to a study by the human rights organization Reprieve. At least 50 prisoners were held on a single ship and delivered to unknown locations, reports the Guardian.

"They choose ships to keep their misconduct from the prying eyes of the media and lawyers," said a Reprieve representative. A Navy spokesman conceded that  suspects have been held on ships “for a few days”—but he denied vessels are used as prisons. (More War on Terror stories.)

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