British court backs inquiry into death of Iraqi allegedly killed by UK tro

[Judi Lynn]

British court backs inquiry into death of Iraqi allegedly killed by UK troops
By Michael Mcdonough, Associated Press, 12/14/2004 11:05

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LONDON (AP) A court ruled Tuesday that the government should hold an independent inquiry into the case of an Iraqi civilian who was allegedly beaten to death by British troops.

Baha Mousa, 26, a Basra hotel receptionist, died in September 2003 after being arrested and taken to a British military base.

Mousa's family had asked the High Court to rule that European and British human rights laws applied to British soldiers in Iraq and that there should be an independent inquiry to determine whether he was unlawfully killed. The court agreed.

But judges Bernard Rix and Thayne Forbes rejected applications from the families of five other Iraqis allegedly killed by soldiers from Britain.

Government lawyers had argued that British troops serving in Iraq weren't subject to the human rights laws because they were outside European jurisdiction. Officials say all allegations of death and mistreatment by British forces are investigated by the military.
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