BERLIN, Aug 25 (AFP) - A military judge has dropped three charges against a female US soldier accused of abusing inmates at Iraq's notorious Abu Ghraib prison, the US Army said Wednesday in a statement from Germany.
Specialist Megan Ambuhl had one count of conspiracy and two counts of maltreatment of detainees dismissed at a pre-trial hearing, the first legal step in a court martial, in Mannheim, southern Germany.
"The prosecution may have these charges reinvestigated and added back into the original charges," the statement said.
Ambuhl remains accused of one count of conspiracy, a single count of cruelty and maltreatment, three counts of assault, dereliction of duty and indecent acts over her alleged abuses at the prison near Baghdad late last year.
The 29-year-old military police officer will face her next hearing in Baghdad on October 22.
Ambuhl was one of four people heard by the military judge since Monday.
Specialist Charles Graner, the suspected ring-leader, and Sergeant Javal Davis were heard and tried to have statements or evidence ommitted from their trials.
Staff Sergeant Ivan Frederick made a plea bargain with prosecutors and will plead guilty to some of the charges against him in exchange for others being dropped, his lawyer said on Tuesday.
The trials of all three men will resume from October 20.
Images of the abuses at Abu Ghraib sparked outrage, particularly in Muslim countries, after they were released by the media in April.
The pictures showed guards sitting on naked prisoners, leading them on leashes, scaring them with dogs or smiling and giving thumbs up signs as they were being humiliated.
Investigations into them now appear to lead higher up the military ranks and even to the Pentagon and more people, particularly intelligence officers and other staff, will soon face charges.