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S Lanka execution video 'genuine' | S Lanka execution video 'genuine' |
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Video apparently showing extra-judicial killings by Sri Lankan troops is genuine, a UN envoy has said. | Video apparently showing extra-judicial killings by Sri Lankan troops is genuine, a UN envoy has said. |
UN special rapporteur Philip Alston said three independent experts had confirmed the video was authentic, renewing calls for a war crime inquiry. | UN special rapporteur Philip Alston said three independent experts had confirmed the video was authentic, renewing calls for a war crime inquiry. |
The footage - which Sri Lanka says is fabricated - shows a man dressed as a soldier shooting a man in the head. | The footage - which Sri Lanka says is fabricated - shows a man dressed as a soldier shooting a man in the head. |
It was allegedly filmed in January during the final stages of the bloody conflict with Tamil Tigers rebels. | It was allegedly filmed in January during the final stages of the bloody conflict with Tamil Tigers rebels. |
The government in Colombo said it concluded the video was fake after conducting its own investigation. | The government in Colombo said it concluded the video was fake after conducting its own investigation. |
Bodies on ground | Bodies on ground |
But Mr Alston, the UN special rapporteur on extra-judicial killings, told reporters: "The conclusion clearly is that the video is authentic." | But Mr Alston, the UN special rapporteur on extra-judicial killings, told reporters: "The conclusion clearly is that the video is authentic." |
He said the video had been examined by three US-based independent investigators. | He said the video had been examined by three US-based independent investigators. |
He named them as Peter Diaczuk, an expert in firearms evidence, Daniel Spitz, a prominent forensic pathologist, and Jeff Spivack, an expert in forensic video analysis. | He named them as Peter Diaczuk, an expert in firearms evidence, Daniel Spitz, a prominent forensic pathologist, and Jeff Spivack, an expert in forensic video analysis. |
At the same time he noted that there were "a small number of characteristics of the video which the experts were unable to explain". | At the same time he noted that there were "a small number of characteristics of the video which the experts were unable to explain". |
"Each of these characteristics can, however, be explained in a manner entirely consistent with the conclusion that the videotape appears to be authentic," he added. | "Each of these characteristics can, however, be explained in a manner entirely consistent with the conclusion that the videotape appears to be authentic," he added. |
The UN official also called on the Sri Lankan government to hold an independent inquiry into possible war crimes committed by both sides of the conflict. | The UN official also called on the Sri Lankan government to hold an independent inquiry into possible war crimes committed by both sides of the conflict. |
It is not clear where the footage, which also shows other bodies on the ground, was taken. | It is not clear where the footage, which also shows other bodies on the ground, was taken. |
The video was provided to the BBC and other media organisations by a group called Journalists for Democracy in Sri Lanka, which said it showed "the reality of the behaviour of the government forces during the war". | The video was provided to the BBC and other media organisations by a group called Journalists for Democracy in Sri Lanka, which said it showed "the reality of the behaviour of the government forces during the war". |
Journalists for Democracy in Sri Lanka said the video had been taken in January 2009 using a mobile phone. | Journalists for Democracy in Sri Lanka said the video had been taken in January 2009 using a mobile phone. |
Sri Lankan troops finally defeated the Tamil Tigers last May - after nearly 40 years of ethnic bloodshed that left more than 70,000 people dead. | Sri Lankan troops finally defeated the Tamil Tigers last May - after nearly 40 years of ethnic bloodshed that left more than 70,000 people dead. |