This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/6446649.stm
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Soldiers cleared over Iraq abuse | Soldiers cleared over Iraq abuse |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| A court martial has cleared two UK soldiers of failing to ensure their men did not abuse Iraqi civilians in Basra. | A court martial has cleared two UK soldiers of failing to ensure their men did not abuse Iraqi civilians in Basra. |
| Maj Michael Peebles and Warrant Officer Mark Davies had denied charges of negligently performing their duties. | Maj Michael Peebles and Warrant Officer Mark Davies had denied charges of negligently performing their duties. |
| In all, six soldiers were acquitted at the hearing in Bulford, Wiltshire. A seventh soldier had previously admitted one charge of inhumane treatment. | In all, six soldiers were acquitted at the hearing in Bulford, Wiltshire. A seventh soldier had previously admitted one charge of inhumane treatment. |
| The allegations arose after the death of an Iraqi prisoner, Baha Mousa, in British custody during September 2003. | The allegations arose after the death of an Iraqi prisoner, Baha Mousa, in British custody during September 2003. |
| Cpl Donald Payne, who admitted treating Iraqis inhumanely, is the only soldier to have been convicted at the end of the six-month hearing. He is awaiting sentencing. | Cpl Donald Payne, who admitted treating Iraqis inhumanely, is the only soldier to have been convicted at the end of the six-month hearing. He is awaiting sentencing. |
| We are relieved that today, after three and a half years, there is a sense of closure Col David Black Timeline: Iraq abuse trial 'Historic' trial ends class="" href="/1/hi/programmes/panorama/6435815.stm">Troops 'did not face justice' | |
| In a statement, the Ministry of Defence pledged that if "lessons need to be learned, we shall do so". | In a statement, the Ministry of Defence pledged that if "lessons need to be learned, we shall do so". |
| "Today's judgment has been an important one and we will need time to consider fully the serious implications," the statement said. | "Today's judgment has been an important one and we will need time to consider fully the serious implications," the statement said. |
| The MoD added that they needed to "maintain both operational effectiveness and the public's trust and confidence". | The MoD added that they needed to "maintain both operational effectiveness and the public's trust and confidence". |
| 'Come unstuck' | 'Come unstuck' |
| Senior soldiers and defence lawyers hit out at the court martial system following the Tuesday's acquittals. | Senior soldiers and defence lawyers hit out at the court martial system following the Tuesday's acquittals. |
| Col Jorge Mendonca was cleared of negligently performing a duty | Col Jorge Mendonca was cleared of negligently performing a duty |
| Gilbert Blades, solicitor for Maj Peebles, said the case "exposed the weaknesses and gaps" in the system. | Gilbert Blades, solicitor for Maj Peebles, said the case "exposed the weaknesses and gaps" in the system. |
| "If charges are brought, the case should be capable of standing up to scrutiny by the court," he said. | "If charges are brought, the case should be capable of standing up to scrutiny by the court," he said. |
| But Mr Blades claimed that none of the soldiers who faced court martial should have been charged - with the exception of Cpl Payne. | But Mr Blades claimed that none of the soldiers who faced court martial should have been charged - with the exception of Cpl Payne. |
| "[Prosecutors] have come unstuck every time they have dealt with this type of case," he added. | "[Prosecutors] have come unstuck every time they have dealt with this type of case," he added. |
| The seven soldiers were all from the Queen's Lancashire Regiment. | The seven soldiers were all from the Queen's Lancashire Regiment. |
| 'Extraordinary ordeal' | 'Extraordinary ordeal' |
| Col David Black, of the QLR's Regimental Council, said that British servicemen needed to operate without being "inhibited by the fear of such actions by over zealous and remote officialdom". | Col David Black, of the QLR's Regimental Council, said that British servicemen needed to operate without being "inhibited by the fear of such actions by over zealous and remote officialdom". |
| Col Black labelled the trial an "extraordinary ordeal" for the soldiers, their families and the regiment as a whole. | Col Black labelled the trial an "extraordinary ordeal" for the soldiers, their families and the regiment as a whole. |
| "We are relieved that today, after three and a half years, there is a sense of closure." | "We are relieved that today, after three and a half years, there is a sense of closure." |
| But Phil Shiner, who represented the Iraqis at the court martial, labelled the outcome a "travesty". | But Phil Shiner, who represented the Iraqis at the court martial, labelled the outcome a "travesty". |
| "It gives the victims nothing. It raises more questions than it answers." | "It gives the victims nothing. It raises more questions than it answers." |
| Hotel raid | Hotel raid |
| Among those charged but later acquitted was Col Jorge Mendonca - the most senior UK soldier in recent history to face a court martial. | Among those charged but later acquitted was Col Jorge Mendonca - the most senior UK soldier in recent history to face a court martial. |
| The accusations against the Col Mendonca and his men stemmed from an Army raid on a Basra hotel in September 2003, where they found weapons and suspected bomb-making equipment. | The accusations against the Col Mendonca and his men stemmed from an Army raid on a Basra hotel in September 2003, where they found weapons and suspected bomb-making equipment. |
| The soldiers detained a number of Iraqis and took them to the Darul Dhyafa military base for questioning. | The soldiers detained a number of Iraqis and took them to the Darul Dhyafa military base for questioning. |
| The prosecution said some of the Iraqi suspects were hooded, beaten and deprived of sleep. | The prosecution said some of the Iraqi suspects were hooded, beaten and deprived of sleep. |
| Baha Mousa, 26, was among the group of detainees. After his death, his body was found to have 93 separate injuries. | Baha Mousa, 26, was among the group of detainees. After his death, his body was found to have 93 separate injuries. |