Three British soldiers are being investigated by military lawyers over the alleged abuse of an Iraqi detainee, a court has been told. They have been referred to prosecutors and could face war crimes charges.
The High Court is being asked to order a public inquiry into mistreatment claims by more than 200 civilians in UK-controlled detention sites in Iraq. A government lawyer revealed the ongoing inquiry as he argued that a public probe was unnecessary.
The case involving the three is being examined by the Director of Service Prosecutions.
The referrals were mentioned in court by Philip Havers QC, appearing for Defence Secretary Liam Fox.
Another government lawyer, James Eadie QC, then told the court the war crimes charges were among a range of options if - "and it is a very big if" - it was decided to pursue the allegations.
This is the end. The final blood-soaked chapter of the genocide. It will be over soon....
