A Danish officer who served with the Danish forces in Iraq is under investigation for alleged maltreatment of prisoners, a military spokesman said Monday. The officer allegedly beat prisoners, denied them water and forced them to stand in uncomfortable positions during questioning, according to Danish media reports. The investigation was initiated after soldiers who served with the Danish contingent in southern Iraq complained to senior officers. The officer, who was due to be rotated out of Iraq in mid-August, has been sent back to Denmark pending the inquiry, Hans-Christian Mathiesen, chief spokesman for the defense forces told Danish radio news. Defense Minister Soren Gade had also been informed about the matter. NATO member Denmark has some 500 soldiers in southern Iraq.
