Washington: In a shocking revelation, a US solider has testified that the highest-ranking American military official in Iraq was present during interrogations at the Abu Ghraib prison, thus weakening the administration's claim that the abuses were carried out by a handful of rogue individuals.

A military lawyer for the soldier charged with abuses at the prison testified that a captain at the Abu Ghraib prison said General Ricardo Sanchez was present during some "interrogations and/or allegations of the prisoner abuse", a report citing the recording of a military hearing said today (May 23, 2004).

The lawyer said he was told that Sanchez and other senior military officials were aware what was taking place on Tier 1A of the prison, he was quoted as saying by the report.

The lawyer, Captain Robert Shuck, also said a sergeant at the prison was prepared to testify that intelligence officers told him the abuse of detainees on the cellblock was "the right thing to do" He said that the company commander Captain Donald Reese was prepared to testify in exchange for immunity, 'The Washington Post' reported.

Shuck is defending Staff Sgt. Ivan "Chip" Frederick II of the 372nd Military Police Company, who is facing court-martial in the abuse case.

No clear evidence has emerged so far proving that high-level officers condoned or promoted the abusive practices. Officers at the prison have blamed the abuse on a handful of rogue, low-level military police officers from the 372nd company of US Army reservists.