DoD Sets Record Straight on Koran Use

The following statement was released on June 3 by Defense Department spokesman Lawrence Di Rita on the BG Hood inquiry: “In 31,000 documents covering 28,000 interrogations and countless thousands interactions with detainees, having issued 1,600 Korans, Southcom found 5 incidents of apparent mishandling by guards or interrogators and 15 incidents of mishandling and outright desecration by detainees. Southcom’s policy of Koran handling is obviously serious, respectful, and appropriate.”