UK troops face abuse claim
2006-02-12 08:04
London - British military police launched an investigation on Saturday after a tabloid newspaper claimed to have video footage allegedly showing British troops abusing Iraqi civilians.
The News of the World says the film shows British soldiers using their fists and batons to beat a group of young Iraqis.
The newspaper says the video was filmed in southern Iraq by a corporal two years ago. It says the corporal urged the soldiers on during the alleged attack.
The Ministry of Defence said the allegations were being treated "extremely seriously" and an investigation had been launched. The ministry provided no other details.
The Sunday newspaper says it has established the personnel involved are British, but has not disclosed the identity of the unit or regiment allegedly involved.
It said exhaustive checks were made to confirm the video's authenticity, which it claims was passed on by a whistleblower, who they have refused to identify.
- AP