Beatings ... squaddies on film
NEWS OF WORLD
By ALI MARTIN
January 04, 2007
THE GANG of British squaddies filmed beating up Iraqi rioters will not face charges, the Ministry of Defence have announced.
The video showed the troops punching, kicking and headbutting young Iraqi civilians.
The violence was filmed by a soldier in April 2004 and was broadcast by the BBC in February last year.
The footage sparked outrage in the Middle East, and prompted Basra provincial council to suspend relations with British forces.
Following an inquiry by the Army's Special Investigation Branch, nine men from the 1st Battalion, Light Infantry were referred to the Army Prosecuting Authority (APA).
But it emerged today that the APA decided the men should not face a court martial over the incident in Al-Amarah.
The APA said the video appeared to show that "four Iraqi civilians had been snatched from a rioting crowd and brought inside a military compound where they were assaulted. The video has a commentary appearing to encourage what was being done."
Immediately before the rioters were taken into the compound, the unit had been attacked with mortars and pelted with stones by the mob.
Giving reasons for the decision in a statement, the APA said there was enough evidence to charge two of the soldiers with assault by battery, but because the offence has a six-month time limit, no charge could be brought after October 2004.
However, two soldiers could still face military discipline for their part in the violence - one who allegedly kicked the body of a dead Iraqi and the man who provided the voiceover.
The men could have been charged with conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline under the Army Act 1955 but will instead be dealt with internally.
The APA said: “These charges do have a realistic prospect of conviction, but the APA took the view that the public interest did not require them to be tried by court martial.
“They could be dealt with summarily by the commanding officer, or by internal Army administrative action which can impose a range of sanctions including termination of service.
“The APA has referred the case back to the Army, who will now consider taking internal disciplinary and administrative action in respect of these matters.”
In February last year, Prime Minister Tony Blair said: "We take seriously any allegations of mistreatment and those will be investigated very fully indeed."
The shaky footage was accompanied by a running commentary, apparently from the man behind the camera.
He could be laughing and saying: "Oh yes! Oh Yes! You’re gonna get it. Yes, naughty little boys. You little f***ers, you little f***ers. Die. Ha Ha.”
thesun.co.uk