Relatives back accused US soldier

HAGERSTOWN, Md. -- Family members of a soldier accused of abusing Iraqi war prisoners said yesterday that he was being made a scapegoat for commanders who gave him no guidance on managing hundreds of Iraqis with only a handful of ill-equipped troops.

Army Reserves Staff Sergeant Ivan "Chip" Frederick is one of six members of the 800th Military Police Brigade facing court-martial for allegedly humiliating prisoners at Abu Ghraib prison near Baghdad. The CBS news program "60 Minutes II" broadcast pictures of the alleged abuse and an interview with Frederick on Wednesday; the other soldiers' names have not been released.