Torture, rape was norm at illegal Iraq prison-report

Torture, beating and sodomizing inmates with brooms or pistol barrels were the norm at an illegal prison run by a military unit under the command of the Iraqi prime minister's office, Human Rights Watch said. The rights group on Wednesday called for a thorough investigation over the detention center, which was discovered and closed down this month by Iraq's Human Rights Ministry, and urged Iraq to prosecute those responsible. Shi'ite Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has denied any connection with the facility, which housed mainly Sunni Arab prisoners from the volatile northern city of Mosul. The revelation of the prison came at a sensitive time for Maliki as he tries to negotiate alliances with other factions that would allow him to be reappointed as prime minister following an inconclusive election in March.