The Dutch government has ordered an independent probe into allegations that Dutch soldiers abused Iraqi detainees during interrogations in 2003.
Defense Minister Henk Kamp said Friday a commission would review an earlier investigation into the claims and study his own conduct related to the incident. He added that the earlier probe by military police determined that no one should be punished.
Some opposition lawmakers have accused the government of trying to cover up the alleged abuse.
Kamp confirmed that Dutch soldiers in Iraq's southern Muthanna province had blindfolded the detainees to prevent them from identifying their captors.
A report published Friday in the Dutch newspaper Volkskrant claims the Iraqis were soaked with water, and exposed to loud music and lights to prevent them from sleeping. The newspaper says military authorities knew about the alleged abuse, but took no action.
The Netherlands withdrew its force of about 1,400 active duty troops in Iraq last year.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
