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Soldiers cleared over Iraq abuse Soldiers cleared over Iraq abuse
(8 minutes later)
A court martial has cleared two UK soldiers of failing to ensure their men did not abuse Iraqi civilians in Basra, leading to the death of one of them. A court martial has cleared two UK soldiers of failing to ensure their men did not abuse Iraqi civilians in Basra.
Maj Michael Peebles and Warrant Officer Mark Davies had denied charges of negligently performing their duties.Maj Michael Peebles and Warrant Officer Mark Davies had denied charges of negligently performing their duties.
Four of their colleagues, including commanding officer Col Jorge Mendonca, had previously been cleared at the hearing in Bulford, Wiltshire.Four of their colleagues, including commanding officer Col Jorge Mendonca, had previously been cleared at the hearing in Bulford, Wiltshire.
Cpl Donald Payne has pleaded guilty to a charge of inhumane treatment. The allegations arose after the death of an Iraqi prisoner, Baha Mousa, in British custody during September 2003.
Gilbert Blades, solicitor for Maj Peebles, said the case highlighted the flaws of the court martial process. One British soldier, Cpl Donald Payne, pleaded guilty at the start of the hearing last September to one charge of inhumane treatment.
'Come unstuck''Come unstuck'
Gilbert Blades, solicitor for Maj Peebles, said the case highlighted the flaws of the court martial process.
"If charges are brought, the case should be capable of standing up to scrutiny by the court," he said."If charges are brought, the case should be capable of standing up to scrutiny by the court," he said.
But Mr Blades claimed that none of the soldiers who faced court martial should have been charged - with the exception of Cpl Payne.But Mr Blades claimed that none of the soldiers who faced court martial should have been charged - with the exception of Cpl Payne.
"They need to examine the process by which they reach a stage of making a decision."They need to examine the process by which they reach a stage of making a decision.
"[Prosecutors] have come unstuck every time they have dealt with this type of case.""[Prosecutors] have come unstuck every time they have dealt with this type of case."
The court martial dealt with claims the soldiers abused a group of Iraqis arrested at a Basra hotel where the Army had found weapons and suspected bomb-making equipment.The court martial dealt with claims the soldiers abused a group of Iraqis arrested at a Basra hotel where the Army had found weapons and suspected bomb-making equipment.
The prosecution has said that while undergoing so-called conditioning for interrogation, the group were forced to stand in the stress position - with arms outstretched and knees bent - and were beaten if they failed.The prosecution has said that while undergoing so-called conditioning for interrogation, the group were forced to stand in the stress position - with arms outstretched and knees bent - and were beaten if they failed.
Baha Mousa, 26, was among the group of detainees and later died. It was found he had 93 separate injuries to his body.Baha Mousa, 26, was among the group of detainees and later died. It was found he had 93 separate injuries to his body.