Iraqi officials investigating claims of abuse by Sunnis at prison in Baghdad

Iraqi officials investigating prison abuse claims

BAGHDAD — Iraqi officials say they are investigating claims that detainees, believed to be mostly Sunnis, were tortured at a prison in Baghdad.

The deputy human rights minister, Kamil Amin, said Thursday that three army officers have been arrested in connection with the case, but did not specify what they were arrested for.

He said 431 Iraqi men from the northern province of Ninevah were arrested last fall and taken to a prison in Baghdad.

The Human Rights Ministry became involved after hearing complaints from family members of detainees saying they were tortured.

The case has outraged many of the country’s Sunni minority. They say it’s an example of persecution by Iraq’s Shiite-led government.

The abuse allegations were first reported Monday by the Los Angeles Times.