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British soldiers embroiled in fresh Iraqi POW abuse scandal
LONDON (AFP) - As the US-led coalition in Iraq (news - web sites) sought to condemn reported abuses on prisoners by US soldiers, Britain's defence ministry said it was investigating photographs apparently showing British troops abusing an Iraqi detainee.
"I am aware of the allegations which have been made today of the abuse of prisoners by British soldiers in Iraq," Britain's most senior army officer, General Sir Michael Jackson, said referring to pictures published in the Daily Mirror tabloid.
"All allegations are already under investigation," he added.
US President George W. Bush (news - web sites) and British Prime Minister Tony Blair (news - web sites) condemned earlier Friday disturbing pictures showing the reported abuse of Iraqi prisoners by US soldiers at a prison west of Baghdad.
But, in a fresh blow to the image of the US-led coalition, new pictures to be published in Saturday's Daily Mirror show British soldiers apparently beating a detainee -- a suspected thief -- with rifle butts and urinating on him.
According to the mass-circulation newspaper, the prisoner was allegedly threatened with execution during an eight-hour ordeal, which left him bleeding and vomiting, with a broken jaw and smashed teeth.
The Daily Mirror said it was given the pictures by serving soldiers from the Queen's Lancashire Regiment, who were horrified at the act depicted and concerned that "rogue elements" in the army were undermining attempts to win the hearts and minds of local people in British-administered southern Iraq.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the soldiers told the paper that the unnamed captive, against whom no charges were brought, was driven away and dumped from the back of a moving vehicle following his ordeal.
It was not known whether he survived, the newspaper said.
"If proven, not only is such appalling conduct clearly unlawful, but it also contravenes the British Army's high standards," Jackson said.
"If proven, the perpetrators are not fit to wear the queen's uniform. They have besmirched the good name of the army and its honour," he said.
The defence ministry confirmed that five inquiries into mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners by British soliders were ongoing.
Dunno how good I feel about a guy named Michael Jackson investigating claims of physical abuse, though.
