Attorney says soldier being mistreated at Fort Sill

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- The attorney and family of convicted Army deserter Camilo Mejia say military officials at Fort Sill are mistreating him. <br/><br/>Mejia's attorney says the Iraqi war veteran

Thursday, June 24th 2004, 5:38 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- The attorney and family of convicted Army deserter Camilo Mejia say military officials at Fort Sill are mistreating him.

Mejia's attorney says the Iraqi war veteran isn't being allowed to speak to his family in his native language or to read his mail.

Mejia was convicted of desertion by a military court in Fort Stewart, Georgia, after failing to return to his National Guard unit following a two-week leave. He was sentenced to one year in jail at Fort Sill.

Mejia is asking to be classified as a conscientious objector to the war and a closed hearing was yesterday at Fort Sill. The Department of the Army will decide whether to grant the request.