Specialist Jeremy Sivits is among seven soldiers facing charges so far, and Pentagon investigators continue looking into the scandal that sparked worldwide outrage when photographs of American soldiers abusing Iraqi prisoners emerged three weeks ago.
Sivits is expected to plead guilty, forego a trial and testify against other suspects, including his superiors. He faces one year in prison.
Journalists had to pass through several security checkpoints and were allowed into the makeshift courtroom only with an escort.
The proceedings in the US controlled "Green Zone" are open to the public, but will not be broadcast on television. Mobile telephones were also forbidden.
The US has vowed to hold the soldiers accountable for their alleged wrongdoings at public trials open for the world to see, and the trials will provide a rare insight into US military justice. - Sapa-dpa
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