Split verdict at end of Abu Ghraib trials

By Andrew Gray

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - With the end of the last court-martial linked to prisoner abuse at Iraq's Abu Ghraib jail, the Pentagon says it is confident justice has been done but rights groups see a failure to hold leaders accountable.

Only one U.S. officer, Army Lt. Col. Steven Jordan, faced court-martial over the scandal. Jordan was acquitted on Tuesday of responsibility for abuse at the jail west of Baghdad.

Jordan, who argued that he played no part in the abuse and that the military was trying to make him a scapegoat, was convicted only of disobeying an order not to discuss the investigation into the case. He was sentenced to a reprimand.

Images of the abuse, including naked detainees stacked in a pyramid and others cowering before snarling dogs, became public in April 2004 and badly damaged the reputation of the U.S. military as it waged war in Iraq.

Eleven lower-ranking soldiers have been convicted in military courts in connection with the physical abuse and sexual humiliation of detainees at Abu Ghraib.

Two officers were disciplined by the Army but neither faced criminal charges or dismissal.

Rights activists say that record is at odds with public pledges from top U.S. officials.

"Watch how America will do the right thing," then-Secretary of State Colin Powell declared in May 2004.