(UK) Army probes 160 Iraq abuse cases

[struggle4progress]

Mark Townsend and Jamie Doward
Sunday February 6, 2005
The Observer

More than 160 separate allegations of abuse by British troops in Iraq have been investigated by army prosecutors, of which nearly a third could lead to highly damaging public courts martial.
Revelations about the volume of claims under investigation are likely to exacerbate the harm already caused to the army's reputation over claims of abuse in Iraq and prompt fresh calls for a full independent inquiry into the scale of soldiers' behaviour.

Last month The Observer revealed that army lawyers had concluded investigations into nine separate incidents involving UK troops serving in Iraq and were considering bringing charges as a result. Last week, the attorney general, Lord Goldsmith, confirmed that one of the cases would be against seven British paratroopers who are accused of murdering an Iraqi teenager by a roadside near Basra.

The remaining cases are thought to relate to the deaths of two Iraqi civilians and several shooting incidents that occurred after Saddam Hussein was deposed. But The Observer understands that army prosecutors are continuing to probe a further 34 allegations of abuse, which could result in further courts martial. <snip>

http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,1407023,00.html

[merwin]

1. But, but... abuse wasn't widespread! * told us so!

[anarchy1999]

2. Oh for heaven's sake. This is just the tip of an iceberg. God help us

all. AND may I please add, personally, I am so sorry.