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RAF man 'saw troops abuse Iraqis' RAF man 'saw troops abuse Iraqis'
(about 1 hour later)
An RAF serviceman saw Iraqi civilians with bags over their heads being shouted at and abused by British soldiers, he has told a hearing.An RAF serviceman saw Iraqi civilians with bags over their heads being shouted at and abused by British soldiers, he has told a hearing.
Senior aircraftman Scott Hughes spoke at the court martial of seven soldiers charged variously with treating Iraqi civilians inhumanely and manslaughter.Senior aircraftman Scott Hughes spoke at the court martial of seven soldiers charged variously with treating Iraqi civilians inhumanely and manslaughter.
Cpl Donald Payne has already admitted the war crime of inhumanely treating civilian detainees in southern Iraq.Cpl Donald Payne has already admitted the war crime of inhumanely treating civilian detainees in southern Iraq.
He and six others deny other charges relating to the alleged abuse in 2003.He and six others deny other charges relating to the alleged abuse in 2003.
The charges also relate to the death of Baha Mousa, 26, in custody in Basra.The charges also relate to the death of Baha Mousa, 26, in custody in Basra.
Mr Mousa, a hotel receptionist, was among a group of detainees arrested following a counter-insurgency operation in September 2003.Mr Mousa, a hotel receptionist, was among a group of detainees arrested following a counter-insurgency operation in September 2003.
CHARGES IN FULL Cpl Donald Payne - manslaughter, inhumane treatment of persons, perverting the course of justiceL/Cpl Wayne Crowcroft - inhumane treatment of personsPte Darren Fallon - inhumane treatment of personsSgt Kelvin Stacey - actual bodily harm, alternatively assaultWarrant Officer Mark Davies - negligently performing a dutyMaj Michael Peebles - negligently performing a dutyCol Jorge Mendonca - negligently performing a dutyCHARGES IN FULL Cpl Donald Payne - manslaughter, inhumane treatment of persons, perverting the course of justiceL/Cpl Wayne Crowcroft - inhumane treatment of personsPte Darren Fallon - inhumane treatment of personsSgt Kelvin Stacey - actual bodily harm, alternatively assaultWarrant Officer Mark Davies - negligently performing a dutyMaj Michael Peebles - negligently performing a dutyCol Jorge Mendonca - negligently performing a duty
SAC Hughes told the court martial, at the Military Court Centre, Bulford Camp, Wiltshire, he was at a British detention centre in Basra where 11 Iraqi civilians were being held when he heard "loud noises" and "shouting". SAC Hughes told the court martial, at the Military Court Centre, Bulford Camp, Wiltshire, he was visiting a British detention centre in Basra where 11 Iraqi civilians were being held when he heard "loud noises" and "shouting".
When he went to investigate, he saw detainees with sand bags over their heads and with their arms outstretched, SAC Hughes said.When he went to investigate, he saw detainees with sand bags over their heads and with their arms outstretched, SAC Hughes said.
One detainee looked as if he had been crying, while another was being shouted at, he added. SAC Hughes said he saw Cpl Payne attacking an elderly detainee, later identified as Kifah Al-Matairi.
SAC Hughes said he also saw Cpl Payne attacking an elderly detainee, later identified as Kifah Al-Matairi.
Cpl Payne had kicked the detainee in the kidneys, SAC Hughes added.Cpl Payne had kicked the detainee in the kidneys, SAC Hughes added.
"He then put his fingers into his eye sockets and yanked his head up, it was as if he was gouging his eyes.""He then put his fingers into his eye sockets and yanked his head up, it was as if he was gouging his eyes."
He also spoke of the smell of excrement, sweat and urine in the building and says he was told the prisoners had soiled themselves. SAC Hughes said Cpl Payne had also asked: "Do you want to hear my choir?"
SAC Hughes is the first British servicemen who was at the detention centre on the day of the alleged abuse to give evidence to the court martial. Cpl Payne had then gone around the room kicking each detainee in the kidneys so that each one cried out in pain, SAC Hughes added.
He also spoke of the smell of excrement, sweat and urine in the building and said he was told the prisoners had soiled themselves.
"I've never seen anything like it before, I didn't know what to do, I was shocked," SAC Hughes told the court martial.
Asked why he had not intervened, he replied: "They [the soldiers] were bigger than me and I didn't know what their orders were."
Charges deniedCharges denied
SAC Hughes is the first British servicemen who was at the detention centre on the day of the alleged abuse to give evidence to the court martial.
Last month, Cpl Payne, 35, of the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, became the first British soldier to admit to a war crime after pleading guilty to the inhumane treatment charge.Last month, Cpl Payne, 35, of the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, became the first British soldier to admit to a war crime after pleading guilty to the inhumane treatment charge.
He has denied further charges of perverting the course of justice and manslaughter. L/Cpl Wayne Crowcroft, 22, and Pte Darren Fallon, 23 - both also of the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment - deny the charge of inhumane treatment.He has denied further charges of perverting the course of justice and manslaughter. L/Cpl Wayne Crowcroft, 22, and Pte Darren Fallon, 23 - both also of the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment - deny the charge of inhumane treatment.
The charge is being brought as a war crime charge under the International Criminal Court Act (ICCA) 2001. It is the first time such a charge has been brought under the new law.The charge is being brought as a war crime charge under the International Criminal Court Act (ICCA) 2001. It is the first time such a charge has been brought under the new law.
Sgt Kelvin Stacey, 29, of the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, is accused of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, with an alternative count of common assault.Sgt Kelvin Stacey, 29, of the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, is accused of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, with an alternative count of common assault.
Maj Michael Peebles, 35, and Warrant Officer Mark Davies, 37, both of the Intelligence Corps, face charges of negligently performing a duty.Maj Michael Peebles, 35, and Warrant Officer Mark Davies, 37, both of the Intelligence Corps, face charges of negligently performing a duty.
And Col Jorge Mendonca, 42, formerly commander of the Queen's Lancashire Regiment - which is now renamed as the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment - is charged with negligently performing his duties.And Col Jorge Mendonca, 42, formerly commander of the Queen's Lancashire Regiment - which is now renamed as the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment - is charged with negligently performing his duties.