04/06/2003

Probe launched into claims of Iraqi PoW mistreatment

The Ministry of Defence is investigating claims that British soldiers were involved in beating an Iraqi POW and further incidents in which two POWs died.

It has been reported that military police are investigating the deaths of two POWs who were in the custody of soldiers from the Black Watch.

The men died in separate incidents on May 13 and May 18 in Basra in southern Iraq. At this stage there is no suggestion that the deaths were the result of wrongdoing.

A probe has also been launched after an Iraqi was allegedly beaten and suffered a black eye. Two soldiers have been sent home following the claims.

These fresh reports follow on from the launch of an inquiry into photographs which allegedly depict an Iraqi, tangled in netting and being hung from a forklift truck. A soldier from the 1st battalion of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers has since been arrested.

(GMcG)

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