US military opens probe of three deaths in custody

BAGHDAD, June 16 (Reuters) The US military said today it had started an investigation into the deaths last month of three men in the custody of US-led forces in Iraq.

Lieutenant General Peter Chiarelli, the number two U.S.

commander in Iraq, ordered the investigation of the deaths which occurred on or around May 9 in Salahaddin province.

''The request for an investigation is the result of soldiers' reported suspicions about the deaths,'' said the statement.

The investigation is taking place amid another probe of allegations that US Marines killed up to 24 unarmed civilians in the town of Haditha last year.

REUTERS SHR KP1429