Soldier on trial for shooting

2004-07-02 15:09

London - A British soldier will stand trial over the shooting of a 13-year-old Iraqi boy, the government said on Friday.

Attorney General Lord Goldsmith said Private Alexander Johnson of the King's Own Scottish Borderers would be tried for unlawful wounding over a shooting incident last September 15 at al-Uzayr, south of Amarah in southern Iraq. He also could face an alternative charge of negligent handling of a weapon.

The Ministry of Defence would not give details of the incident or say how badly the boy was wounded.

No date was set for the trial, which the government said is likely to be held in Iraq.

In June, the government said that military police were investigating 30 cases of alleged abuse, civilian deaths and injuries in Iraq. Another 37 inquiries had been completed and no further action was being taken.

On June 14, the government announced that four soldiers from the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers would face courts-martial on charges of abusing prisoners in Iraq.

The charges against the four unidentified soldiers include allegations of "assault, indecent assault, which apparently involves making the victims engage in sexual activity between themselves, and a military charge of prejudicing good order and military discipline."

Goldsmith had said that the alleged abuse occurred while the "civilians were being temporarily detained, but not in a prison or detention facility."

"It involves photographic evidence developed in this country and referred to the UK police," he said.

At that time, Goldsmith said three other cases had been referred to the Army Prosecuting Authority, which "are actively being considered at the moment."

- AP