UK soldiers face court martial
The Attorney General has confirmed that a number of UK soldiers are to face court martial over alleged mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners.
Giving details about one of the four cases being prosecuted, Lord Goldsmith said in a written statement: “The APA [Army Prosecuting Authority] directed trial on June 11th, 2004 against four soldiers from the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers on charges relating to alleged abuses of Iraqi civilians.
“The charges against the four include assault, indecent assault which apparently involves making the victims engage in sexual activity between themselves, and a military charge of prejudicing good order and military discipline.”
No trial date has yet been set, but any trial will be held in public.
The APA, which is independent of the military chain of command and responsible for the court martial system, is also aware of four other cases that are likely to be referred “in the very near future” Lord Goldsmith said.
This will mean that eight out of the 75 cases being investigated by the Military Police have so far led to prosecutions.
In addition one further case, concerning the alleged unlawful killing of an Iraqi, is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police
