Iraqi authorities have announced the closure of the infamous Abu Ghraib prison, citing security concerns.
The Justice Ministry said 2,400 inmates at the prison had been transferred to other facilities.
The April 15 statement said the decision was made "as part of precautionary measures related to the security of prisons."
Abu Ghraib is located near the western province of Anbar, where government troops have been battling Sunni militants for months.
The AFP news agency says it wasn't immediately clear whether the closure is temporary or final.
Last July, militants attacked Abu Ghraib and another prison, leading to the escape of hundreds of inmates, including many militants.
During the late dictator Saddam Hussein's regime, thousands of prisoners were tortured at Abu Ghraib.
After Saddam's regime was toppled in 2003, U.S. troops photographed themselves abusing detainees at the prison.
The Justice Ministry said 2,400 inmates at the prison had been transferred to other facilities.
The April 15 statement said the decision was made "as part of precautionary measures related to the security of prisons."
Abu Ghraib is located near the western province of Anbar, where government troops have been battling Sunni militants for months.
The AFP news agency says it wasn't immediately clear whether the closure is temporary or final.
Last July, militants attacked Abu Ghraib and another prison, leading to the escape of hundreds of inmates, including many militants.
During the late dictator Saddam Hussein's regime, thousands of prisoners were tortured at Abu Ghraib.
After Saddam's regime was toppled in 2003, U.S. troops photographed themselves abusing detainees at the prison.
