Gitmo Doctors Hid Evidence of Torture
By Spencer Ackerman – April 26, 2011

They explained away the bone fractures, didn’t ask what caused the lacerations, and called the hallucinations routine. Rather than blowing the whistle, medical professionals entrusted with the care of the detainees at Guantanamo Bay turned a blind eye when there were clear indications of abuse.

That’s according to a newly published report from two physicians with unprecedented access to the medical records of nine Gitmo detainees.

Writing in the online journal PLoS Medicine, Physicians for Human Rights senior medical adviser Vincent Iacopino and retired Brig. Gen. Stephen Xenakis, a psychiatrist now in private practice, found that medical personnel at Guantanamo concealed mental and physical ailments that signaled abusive treatment.

The report — which represents the first independent review of any Guantanamo detainee’s medical record — is the clearest evidence yet that members of the base’s medical staff were complicit in the torture regime there.

“Medics have an independent, professional responsibility to identify and report incidences of cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment and torture,” Xenakis tells Danger Room. “They had a responsibility to speak up.” …more

Bahrain releases 312 detainees
By Habib Toumi, Bureau Chief Gulf News
Published: 00:00 April 28, 2011
Sick people among 312 detainees released in Bahrain, says official.

Manama: Bahrain has released 312 people it had detained since the launch of a security operation following weeks of protests and political turmoil.

“I wish to announce that 312 detainees, including sick people, have been released either for health consideration or after they spent time in detention,” said Shaikh Fawaz Bin Mohammad Al Khalifa, president of the information affairs authority.

“Several people were detained after the declaration of the state of national safety on March 15 for their implication in security related violations,” he told reporters at a press conference.

Shaikh Fawaz, who was given the media portfolio in July, said that Bahrain was well ahead in recovering its full security and stability.

“The public order forces did a good job, and we were pained when two of them were targeted. One cameraman working for Bahrain TV was lucky to escape the attempt on his life, but the others were not. We also deplore the death of two motorists who refused to comply with security measures, raised alert levels by not lowering their speed as they approached the checkpoints and were killed,” he said.

The military court is scheduled to announce on Thursday its verdict in the case of seven defendants who were tried on charges of killing the policemen.

The military prosecutor earlier this week sought the death penalty for the seven defendants while their lawyers pushed for their acquittal. …source