Five Danes found guilty of prisoner abuse

COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Jan. 12 (UPI) -- A court in Denmark found a Danish army captain and four military police sergeants guilty of abusing Iraqi prisoners, but spared them from punishment.

The judge, citing "extenuating circumstances," said the five had not received clear guidelines from the Danish military, reports the BBC.

The five, who had been based in southern Iraq, were convicted of verbal humiliation and forcing prisoners to maintain painful postures during interrogation. The accused had denied the accusations.

Denmark has about 500 troops in southern Iraq and most Danes support their government's backing of the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq, the report said.