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UK agrees new Basra death probe UK concedes new Basra death probe
(30 minutes later)
A group of Iraqis have won a legal battle to hold a new investigation into claims UK troops tortured and killed 20 people after a gun battle in Basra. The defence secretary has conceded there is a need for a new investigation into the deaths of 20 Iraqis in Basra in 2004, the High Court has heard.
The defence secretary has agreed there is a need for the investigation into the 2004 events, the High Court heard. Lawyers for the six Iraqis produced medical evidence they said backed their call for an independent public inquiry, but judges have yet to rule on it.
Lawyers for the six Iraqis produced medical evidence they said backed the need for an independent public inquiry. The government had said the dead were killed on the battlefield and that military police had investigated.
The government had said the dead were killed during a gun battle and that military police had investigated. It made the concession after failing to provide enough details to the court.
The Ministry of Defence denies wrongdoing by soldiers. The Ministry of Defence denies wrongdoing by British soldiers, and the Royal Military Police inquiry rejected the allegations of murder, torture and mutilation.
[The secretary of state is proposing] an investigation of the murder of Iraqi detainees... and specific allegations by five Iraq nationals of ill-treatment Clive Lewis, QC for UK government[The secretary of state is proposing] an investigation of the murder of Iraqi detainees... and specific allegations by five Iraq nationals of ill-treatment Clive Lewis, QC for UK government
It was alleged Iraqi civilians were detained following "the battle of Danny Boy" - a fire fight between British soldiers and Iraqi insurgents near the town of Al Majar-al-Kabir, in Maysan Province, on 14 May 2004.It was alleged Iraqi civilians were detained following "the battle of Danny Boy" - a fire fight between British soldiers and Iraqi insurgents near the town of Al Majar-al-Kabir, in Maysan Province, on 14 May 2004.
But lawyers for the Iraqis produced evidence in court they said supported allegations the captives were taken to British base Camp Abu Naji, where they were tortured, murdered, and their bodies mutilated.But lawyers for the Iraqis produced evidence in court they said supported allegations the captives were taken to British base Camp Abu Naji, where they were tortured, murdered, and their bodies mutilated.
Five of the six applicants allege they were themselves mistreated by British forces after being caught up in the fire fight and detained.Five of the six applicants allege they were themselves mistreated by British forces after being caught up in the fire fight and detained.
Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth conceded at the High Court there was insufficient information for judges to be able to make a fully-informed decision on the allegations, so a separate investigation was needed.Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth conceded at the High Court there was insufficient information for judges to be able to make a fully-informed decision on the allegations, so a separate investigation was needed.
Clive Lewis QC, for the government, said the secretary of state "profoundly regretted" a failure to make documents available to the court in good time.Clive Lewis QC, for the government, said the secretary of state "profoundly regretted" a failure to make documents available to the court in good time.
The secretary of state was therefore proposing "an investigation of the murder of Iraqi detainees at Camp Abu Naji in Southern Iraq on the night of May 14-15 2004 and specific allegations by five Iraq nationals of ill-treatment," he said.The secretary of state was therefore proposing "an investigation of the murder of Iraqi detainees at Camp Abu Naji in Southern Iraq on the night of May 14-15 2004 and specific allegations by five Iraq nationals of ill-treatment," he said.
The case is ongoing.