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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Soldiers cleared over Iraq abuse | Soldiers cleared over Iraq abuse |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A court martial has cleared two UK soldiers of failing to ensure their men did not abuse Iraqi civilians in Basra. | 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. |
| In all, six soldiers were acquitted at the hearing in Bulford, Wiltshire. A seventh soldier had previously admitted one charge of inhumane treatment. | In all, six soldiers were acquitted at the hearing in Bulford, Wiltshire. A seventh soldier had previously admitted one charge of inhumane treatment. |
| The allegations arose after the death of an Iraqi prisoner, Baha Mousa, in British custody during September 2003. | The allegations arose after the death of an Iraqi prisoner, Baha Mousa, in British custody during September 2003. |
| Cpl Donald Payne, who admitted inhumane treatment, is the only soldier to have been convicted at the end of the six-month hearing. | Cpl Donald Payne, who admitted inhumane treatment, is the only soldier to have been convicted at the end of the six-month hearing. |
| In a statement, the Ministry of Defence pledged that if "lessons need to be learned, we shall do so". | |
| "Today's judgment has been an important one and we will need time to consider fully the serious implications," the statement said. | |
| The MoD added that they needed to "maintain both operational effectiveness and the public's trust and confidence". | |
| 'Come unstuck' | 'Come unstuck' |
| Senior soldiers and defence lawyers hit out at the court martial system following the Tuesday's acquittals. | Senior soldiers and defence lawyers hit out at the court martial system following the Tuesday's acquittals. |
| We are relieved that today, after three and a half years, there is a sense of closure Col David Black Timeline: Iraq abuse trial class="" href="/1/hi/uk/6445633.stm">'Historic' trial ends | |
| Gilbert Blades, solicitor for Maj Peebles, said the case "exposed the weaknesses and gaps" in the system. | Gilbert Blades, solicitor for Maj Peebles, said the case "exposed the weaknesses and gaps" in the system. |
| "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. |
| "[Prosecutors] have come unstuck every time they have dealt with this type of case," he added. | "[Prosecutors] have come unstuck every time they have dealt with this type of case," he added. |
| The seven soldiers were all from the Queen's Lancashire Regiment. | The seven soldiers were all from the Queen's Lancashire Regiment. |
| 'Extraordinary ordeal' | 'Extraordinary ordeal' |
| Col David Black, of the QLR's Regimental Council, said that British servicemen needed to operate without being "inhibited by the fear of such actions by over zealous and remote officialdom". | Col David Black, of the QLR's Regimental Council, said that British servicemen needed to operate without being "inhibited by the fear of such actions by over zealous and remote officialdom". |
| Col Jorge Mendonca was cleared of negligently performing a duty | Col Jorge Mendonca was cleared of negligently performing a duty |
| Col Black labelled the trial an "extraordinary ordeal" for the soldiers, their families and the regiment as a whole. | Col Black labelled the trial an "extraordinary ordeal" for the soldiers, their families and the regiment as a whole. |
| "We are relieved that today, after three and a half years, there is a sense of closure." | "We are relieved that today, after three and a half years, there is a sense of closure." |
| But Phil Shiner, who represented the Iraqis at the court martial, labelled the outcome a "travesty". | But Phil Shiner, who represented the Iraqis at the court martial, labelled the outcome a "travesty". |
| "It gives the victims nothing. It raises more questions than it answers." | "It gives the victims nothing. It raises more questions than it answers." |
| The court martial dealt with claims that 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 that the soldiers abused a group of Iraqis arrested at a Basra hotel where the Army had found weapons and suspected bomb-making equipment. |
| Among those charged but later acquitted was Col Jorge Mendonca - the most senior UK soldier in recent history to face a court martial. | Among those charged but later acquitted was Col Jorge Mendonca - the most senior UK soldier in recent history to face a court martial. |
| Baha Mousa, 26, was among the group of detainees. He later died. | Baha Mousa, 26, was among the group of detainees. He later died. |
| It was found he had 93 separate injuries to his body. | It was found he had 93 separate injuries to his body. |