Doubts over 'torture' pics

2004-05-02 10:22

London - Doubts are being cast over the authenticity of photographs appearing to show British soldiers torturing an Iraqi prisoner, Sky News reports.

An investigation has begun into newspaper claims that the man was assaulted before being thrown from a lorry.

The Daily Mirror printed pictures allegedly taken during his ordeal showing the man being urinated on and threatened.

But according to some newspapers they may not be genuine.

"Were British 'torture' pictures a cruel joke?" asks the Sunday Express.

The tabloid queries the high-resolution quality of the photographs and the fact they were taken in black-and-white.

It suggests they may have been taken by military photographers for the amusement of their colleagues.

"There have been several cases of military photographers stunting up pictures and spoofing scenes," a former regimental commander is quoted as saying.

The Sunday Telegraph says military police are set to arrest six soldiers from the Queen's Lancashire Regiment in connection with the apparent abuse.

It says the soldiers are currently being interrogated in Cyprus by members of the Royal Military Police's special investigation branch.

They face courts martial and may be imprisoned if found guilty of assault, the paper adds.

- News24