WASHINGTON, Sept 27: A military policewoman photographed holding a naked prisoner by a leash at Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison was ordered on Monday to face trial by court martial on charges of conspiracy to mistreat prisoners, assault and indecent acts.

The US Army said Lt Gen John Vines, commander of the 18th Airborne Corps, referred 19 charges against Private First Class Lynndie England, the prison guard who became the public face of the Abu Ghraib scandal.

If convicted on all charges, England could face up to 38 years prison, loss of all pay and allowances, and a dishonourable discharge. England was arraigned on Friday at Fort Bragg, North Carolina but deferred entering a plea, the army said in a statement.

The military judge scheduled a hearing on motions presented by lawyers on Dec 1-3, and scheduled a trial for the period Jan 17-28, the army said. A defence attorney said over the weekend that England had been notified of the decision to move ahead with a court martial. -AFP