UK Troops Accused of Executing Iraqis

[unhappycamper]

UK Troops Accused of Executing Iraqis
Associated Press | February 22, 2008

LONDON - Lawyers released evidence Friday that they say shows British soldiers may have tortured and executed up to 20 Iraqis after a battle in 2004 - the most serious allegations of abuse made against British forces in Iraq.

Attorneys for five Iraqi men detained by British troops after the battle say witness testimony, death certificates and video footage of mutilated bodies all support the claims. They are demanding a public inquiry.

The British military strongly denies the accusations, and says the dead were insurgents killed in a gun battle after ambushing British troops.

"We are of the view that our clients' allegations that the British army is responsible for the torture and death of up to 20 Iraqis may well be true," said Martyn Day, a lawyer for the five, who say they were detained at the British army's Abu Naji base at the time of the alleged executions.

Day and another attorney, Phil Shiner, are representing the five men in a damages suit against the British military. All say they were laborers who were innocently caught up in the violence.


Rest of article at: http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,162588,00.html