Court martial for abusers

2004-06-14 20:42

London - The British military is to court-martial four soldiers for allegedly beating and sexually abusing prisoners in Iraq, said attorney-general Peter Goldsmith on Monday.

The army prosecuting authority (APA), which handles such cases independently of the military, had ordered the trial of four soldiers from the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, said Goldsmith.

"The charges against the four include 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," he said.

Goldsmith, the government's chief legal officer, appeared to indicate that the incident being prosecuted was connected to allegations made in the Daily Mirror newspaper at the start of May.

These - which the paper said at the time came from serving soldiers - alleged that troops had beaten and mistreated Iraqi prisoners.

The newspaper's story included pictures which appeared to show British troops beating and urinating on one detainee in the back of an army truck.

Under intense government pressure, the Daily Mirror admitted two weeks later that the photographs appeared to have been faked and sacked editor Piers Morgan, while standing by the general allegations.

"This case has previously been referred to in the press," Goldsmith said of the court martial.

"The case concerns conduct alleged to have 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."

A further seven cases linked to alleged mistreatment had already been referred, or were likely to be referred, to the APA, said Goldsmith.

The court martial will be heard in public, he added, not specifying when it would begin.

- AFP