British military police investigate allegation soldiers raped and maimed Iraqi civilian

UK military police investigate new Iraq rape claim

LONDON — British military police were investigating an allegation that two soldiers raped and maimed an Iraqi man at a base in 2003, the Defense Ministry said Tuesday.

The man’s lawyer, Daniel Carey, said the alleged victim, who was 18 at the time, claims he was sexually abused by two male soldiers and then cut with a knife in the southern Iraqi city of Basra in May 2003.

Carey said the alleged victim had come forward after the withdrawal of British troops, who completed a pullout from Iraq in May. The victim’s name was not disclosed.

“He didn’t really tell a soul, but has decided now to come forward,” Carey said. “Now that the troops have left, he feels a lot safer.”

Lawyers will begin legal proceedings in the case at Britain’s High Court next week. Carey said other possible mistreatment cases were also being prepared.

“We are finding that now British forces have withdrawn, further allegations are coming forward,” he said.

Armed forces minister Bill Rammell said any new claims of mistreatment will be investigated.

British soldiers have faced a series of claims that they mistreated Iraqi civilians in southern Iraq during six years of combat operations there. Last year, Britain settled a legal case involving the death of one Iraqi civilian, and the abuse of nine others, paying out just under 3 million pounds in compensation.

Britain’s Defense Ministry said it was made aware that other new allegations of mistreatment were likely to be made in the coming months.

“All allegations of abuse are investigated thoroughly and where proven, those responsible are punished and the complainants compensated,” Rammell said. “Allegations must not be taken as fact and formal investigations must be allowed to take their course without judgments being made prematurely.”

Military police continued to investigate an allegation that British soldiers sexually assaulted a 14-year-old Iraqi boy at Camp Breadbasket base in Basra in May 2003, Carey said.

In a separate case, three soldiers were jailed in 2005 over the mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners at the same base — including an allegation that they forced detainees to simulate sex.

A public inquiry into the death of Iraqi hotel receptionist Baha Mousa, 26, in British custody in 2003 has also heard claims that civilians were mistreated and subjected to banned interrogation tactics.