Iraqi police put down prison riot in Baghdad

[June 05, 2012]  BAGHDAD (AP) -- Iraqi officials say police have fired in the air and beaten inmates with clubs to put down riots at two prisons in Baghdad.

Prison guards at the 4th Risafa Detention Facility and Baladiyat Prison says the unrest erupted Tuesday morning when prisoners loyal to radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr protested government orders to send them to another prison.

Some set fire to tents, garbage and blankets.

Officials say security forces firing in the air stormed the two prisons, surrounded the rioters and beat them with clubs until they were subdued.

The officials say 12 prisoners suffered burns and one was shot in the leg.

All officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

[Associated Press; By SAMEER N. YACOUB]

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