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Iraq detainee death 'was revenge' | Iraq detainee death 'was revenge' |
(8 minutes later) | |
British soldiers might have been out for "revenge" when they detained an Iraqi civilian who died in their custody, a public inquiry has heard. | British soldiers might have been out for "revenge" when they detained an Iraqi civilian who died in their custody, a public inquiry has heard. |
Baha Mousa's father said he had reported members of the Queen's Lancashire Regiment after seeing them break into a safe. | Baha Mousa's father said he had reported members of the Queen's Lancashire Regiment after seeing them break into a safe. |
Basra police officer Daoud Mousa told the London hearing he believed this was why his son had been killed in 2003. | Basra police officer Daoud Mousa told the London hearing he believed this was why his son had been killed in 2003. |
The inquiry is looking into the death, detainees' treatment and army methods. | The inquiry is looking into the death, detainees' treatment and army methods. |
Mr Mousa and nine other civilians were arrested at the Haitham hotel in Basra on 14 September 2003. | Mr Mousa and nine other civilians were arrested at the Haitham hotel in Basra on 14 September 2003. |
Soldiers from the Queen's Lancashire Regiment, which has since been amalgamated, found weapons on the premises. | Soldiers from the Queen's Lancashire Regiment, which has since been amalgamated, found weapons on the premises. |
AT THE SCENE Caroline McClatchey, BBC News | AT THE SCENE Caroline McClatchey, BBC News |
It was appropriate that the first witness should be Daoud Mousa, the father of Baha Mousa, whose death is at the centre of the inquiry. | It was appropriate that the first witness should be Daoud Mousa, the father of Baha Mousa, whose death is at the centre of the inquiry. |
Dressed in a grey suit and green tie, he looked very much like a police officer in the witness box. | Dressed in a grey suit and green tie, he looked very much like a police officer in the witness box. |
He was a major in the Basra police force at one time but had to retire because he was not part of Saddam's clique. | He was a major in the Basra police force at one time but had to retire because he was not part of Saddam's clique. |
Speaking through a translator, he spoke about his and Baha's hopes for a better future. | Speaking through a translator, he spoke about his and Baha's hopes for a better future. |
He remained composed until he was asked about the effect of Baha's death on the family. He simply broke down, covered his eyes with a handkerchief and couldn't answer the question. | He remained composed until he was asked about the effect of Baha's death on the family. He simply broke down, covered his eyes with a handkerchief and couldn't answer the question. |
Hotel staff insisted the weapons were kept for security, but they were taken to a detention centre at the Battle Group Main camp, under suspicion of being insurgents. | Hotel staff insisted the weapons were kept for security, but they were taken to a detention centre at the Battle Group Main camp, under suspicion of being insurgents. |
Two days later, father-of-two Mr Mousa, 26, was dead. A post-mortem examination showed he suffered asphyxiation and had at least 93 injuries to his body, including fractured ribs and a broken nose. | Two days later, father-of-two Mr Mousa, 26, was dead. A post-mortem examination showed he suffered asphyxiation and had at least 93 injuries to his body, including fractured ribs and a broken nose. |
Daoud Mousa told the inquiry his son had "been happy when the British troops came in" after the 2003 invasion. | Daoud Mousa told the inquiry his son had "been happy when the British troops came in" after the 2003 invasion. |
He said Saddam Hussein had forced him out of his job as a police major and his son "hated" the former Iraqi leader for that. He has since rejoined the force. | |
He made a statement to the soldiers' commanding officer when he saw three or four members of the regiment stealing from the safe after he went to the hotel to pick up his son. | He made a statement to the soldiers' commanding officer when he saw three or four members of the regiment stealing from the safe after he went to the hotel to pick up his son. |
He said: "I thought that it was a violation of English dignity and honour, and the honour of English troops." | He said: "I thought that it was a violation of English dignity and honour, and the honour of English troops." |
Recalling the time when he saw Baha Mousa had been detained by soldiers, he said: "I think they knew the one I was pointing to was my son, therefore they wanted revenge against me." | Recalling the time when he saw Baha Mousa had been detained by soldiers, he said: "I think they knew the one I was pointing to was my son, therefore they wanted revenge against me." |
He added: "I believe that my son may have been treated worse than other people because I had made a complaint... that money was being stolen from the hotel safe." | He added: "I believe that my son may have been treated worse than other people because I had made a complaint... that money was being stolen from the hotel safe." |