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UK soldiers cleared of Iraq abuse UK soldiers cleared of Iraq abuse
(10 minutes later)
Charges have been dropped against five out of seven soldiers on trial over allegations of abusing Iraqi civilians.Charges have been dropped against five out of seven soldiers on trial over allegations of abusing Iraqi civilians.
Col Jorge Mendonca MBE, the highest-ranking British serviceman in recent history to face a court martial, was cleared along with four of his men. Col Jorge Mendonca MBE, the highest-ranking British serviceman to face a court martial, had his charges dropped along with four of his men.
The court martial judge at Bulford Camp in Wiltshire ruled that the five soldiers had no case to answer.The court martial judge at Bulford Camp in Wiltshire ruled that the five soldiers had no case to answer.
The seven men had stood accused of abusing Iraqi detainees leading to the death of hotel receptionist Baha Mousa.The seven men had stood accused of abusing Iraqi detainees leading to the death of hotel receptionist Baha Mousa.
Col Mendonca, former commander of the Queen's Lancashire Regiment (QLR), had faced charges of negligently performing a duty.Col Mendonca, former commander of the Queen's Lancashire Regiment (QLR), had faced charges of negligently performing a duty.
He had been accused of failing to ensure his men did not ill-treat Iraqi detainees in Basra in September 2003.He had been accused of failing to ensure his men did not ill-treat Iraqi detainees in Basra in September 2003.
Alleged abuseAlleged abuse
It was claimed that some of the colonel's men abused the group of Iraqis after their arrest during a counter-insurgency operation.It was claimed that some of the colonel's men abused the group of Iraqis after their arrest during a counter-insurgency operation.
They had been arrested on 14 September at the Haitham Hotel, Basra, where the army had found weapons including rifles, bayonets and suspected bomb-making equipment.They had been arrested on 14 September at the Haitham Hotel, Basra, where the army had found weapons including rifles, bayonets and suspected bomb-making equipment.
The trial centred on claims that the group of detainees was taken to a temporary detention centre where they were held for 36 hours and repeatedly beaten while handcuffed and forced to wear sacks on their heads.The trial centred on claims that the group of detainees was taken to a temporary detention centre where they were held for 36 hours and repeatedly beaten while handcuffed and forced to wear sacks on their heads.
Mr Mousa, 26, was among the group of detainees and later died.Mr Mousa, 26, was among the group of detainees and later died.
But Mr Justice Stuart McKinnon requested the court panel, the military equivalent of a jury, acquit the five soldiers of charges after "no case to answer" submissions from their legal teams.But Mr Justice Stuart McKinnon requested the court panel, the military equivalent of a jury, acquit the five soldiers of charges after "no case to answer" submissions from their legal teams.
Sergeant Kelvin Stacey, 30, of the QLR, was cleared of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault.Sergeant Kelvin Stacey, 30, of the QLR, was cleared of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault.
And L/Cpl Wayne Crowcroft, 22, and Private Darren Fallon, 23, both of the QLR, now merged with the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, were both cleared of treating Iraqis inhumanely.And L/Cpl Wayne Crowcroft, 22, and Private Darren Fallon, 23, both of the QLR, now merged with the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, were both cleared of treating Iraqis inhumanely.
It was the first time this charge was brought against British servicemen under the International Criminal Court Act 2001.It was the first time this charge was brought against British servicemen under the International Criminal Court Act 2001.
War crimeWar crime
The fifth soldier, Cpl Donald Payne, 35, of the QLR, had became the first British soldier to admit to a war crime after pleading guilty to inhumanely treating civilian Iraqi detainees at the start of the trial.The fifth soldier, Cpl Donald Payne, 35, of the QLR, had became the first British soldier to admit to a war crime after pleading guilty to inhumanely treating civilian Iraqi detainees at the start of the trial.
But he was cleared of Mr Musa's manslaughter and a further charge of perverting the course of justice.But he was cleared of Mr Musa's manslaughter and a further charge of perverting the course of justice.
However, "no case" applications made on behalf of two of the other soldiers were dismissed by the judge.However, "no case" applications made on behalf of two of the other soldiers were dismissed by the judge.
Maj Michael Peebles, 35, and Warrant Officer Mark Davies, 37, both of the Intelligence Corps, remain on trial.Maj Michael Peebles, 35, and Warrant Officer Mark Davies, 37, both of the Intelligence Corps, remain on trial.
They both deny charges of negligently performing the duty of ensuring the Iraqis were not ill-treated by men under their command.They both deny charges of negligently performing the duty of ensuring the Iraqis were not ill-treated by men under their command.