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14-02-2006 Scotsman First arrest as army launches inquiry into Iraq beatings film By Chief News Correspondent Gethin Chamberlain A SOLDIER suspected of beating prisoners during rioting in Iraq was last night being questioned by military police. The soldier from 1 Light Infantry (1LI) regiment, based at Paderborn in Germany, was arrested on Sunday night following the release of film showing soldiers punching, kicking and beating four men during rioting in Amarah in January 2004. Other soldiers from the regiment are expected to face questions from the investigators. The footage is understood to have been captured by a corporal using a mobile phone. Six protesters were shot dead during two days of disturbances, at least one of them by Light Infantry troops. Iraqi police also fired on the crowd. The regiment's own account of the incident described how people demanding jobs had rushed troops guarding the city hall and were driven back by soldiers using batons and riot shields. It said: "The men from 1 LI opened fire when grenades were hurled at them by screaming protesters, some armed with sticks and shovels, who rushed in waves against the city hall. The 1 LI soldiers blocked roads and periodically pushed demonstrators back, sometimes with batons, sometimes lined up behind riot shields and against younger protesters, simply shoving them with their hands." According to Major Johnny Bowron, troops attempted to permit a peaceful protest while preventing loss of life or damage to property. Major Bowron was later awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his bravery during the deployment in Amarah, Maysan province. His citation recorded that his isolated company "was attacked for five consecutive days and nights, its patrols ambushed with rockets, anti-tank weapons, grenades and machine-guns". Maysan's provincial governor, Adel Mahudar, said the demonstration took place near his offices. "I demand the Iraqi government put an end to these violations against Iraqis and I will meet those youths with their families and ask them if they want to prosecute the British troops," he said. More details emerged of the incident last night when further video footage, apparently shot by soldiers from the Light Infantry, was screened by the BBC. It showed the moments leading up to the video clip in which soldiers were seen beating rioters. British soldiers have come under frequent attack in Maysan province. The first Victoria Cross of the conflict was won in Amarah in 2004 and six Royal Military Police were killed by a mob in the nearby town of Majar al Kabir in the summer of 2003. The Ministry of Defence last night said a soldier had been arrested and items seized. An MoD spokesman said: "We can confirm that the 1st Battalion the Light Infantry are assisting The Royal Military Police with their enquiries."
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................................................................................................................. Copyright ©2004 Gethin Chamberlain. All rights reserved. |
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