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Judge allows Iraq 'abuse' reports | Judge allows Iraq 'abuse' reports |
(20 minutes later) | |
A legal order which had stopped the media from reporting allegations of torture by British troops in Iraq has been lifted by the High Court. | A legal order which had stopped the media from reporting allegations of torture by British troops in Iraq has been lifted by the High Court. |
The abuse is said to have taken place after British soldiers were ambushed between Basra and Amara in May 2004. | The abuse is said to have taken place after British soldiers were ambushed between Basra and Amara in May 2004. |
After the exchange of fire that followed, 31 Iraqis were reportedly taken into British custody at Abu Naji. | After the exchange of fire that followed, 31 Iraqis were reportedly taken into British custody at Abu Naji. |
Their families allege that 22 of them died and nine were tortured. The MoD denied any wrongdoing by UK troops. | Their families allege that 22 of them died and nine were tortured. The MoD denied any wrongdoing by UK troops. |
Iraqi death certificates are said to state that the dead Iraqis showed signs of torture and mutilation. | Iraqi death certificates are said to state that the dead Iraqis showed signs of torture and mutilation. |
The testimonies of five witnesses "combine to give a harrowing account of what took place", according to their lawyers. | The testimonies of five witnesses "combine to give a harrowing account of what took place", according to their lawyers. |
Public inquiry | |
The Ministry of Defence has also denied there is any evidence of mutilation. | The Ministry of Defence has also denied there is any evidence of mutilation. |
The gagging order was imposed by Lord Justice Thomas at the High Court in London last December. | The gagging order was imposed by Lord Justice Thomas at the High Court in London last December. |
It prevented the naming of any of the Iraqi claimants or the reporting of their testimonies, until a final decision was taken about whether any of the British soldiers would face prosecution. | It prevented the naming of any of the Iraqi claimants or the reporting of their testimonies, until a final decision was taken about whether any of the British soldiers would face prosecution. |
But now Lord Justice Moses has decided to overturn the ban completely, and ruled there was "ample material" to support the view that legal proceedings should be made public. | But now Lord Justice Moses has decided to overturn the ban completely, and ruled there was "ample material" to support the view that legal proceedings should be made public. |
Iraqi families and several people who say they are survivors of the incident are due at the High Court soon, where they will be seeking compensation and a public inquiry. | Iraqi families and several people who say they are survivors of the incident are due at the High Court soon, where they will be seeking compensation and a public inquiry. |
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