Iraq

Iraqi abuse report to blame 'failings in Army chain of command'

A landmark report into abuse of Iraqi prisoners by British soldiers is expected to condemn failings in the Army's chain of command that resulted in an innocent civilian being brutally beaten to death.

Father-of-two Baha Mousa, 26, died after sustaining 93 injuries while in the custody of 1st Battalion the Queen's Lancashire Regiment (1QLR) in Basra, southern Iraq, in 2003.

A major public inquiry into his death and the abuse of nine other Iraqi men held with him will publish its findings on Thursday.

While the inquiry has no powers to accuse the troops of crimes, prosecutors could use its report as the basis for bringing charges.

It is understood that a number of soldiers have received letters warning them they will be criticised in the report.

The inquiry was told Mr Mousa was working as a receptionist at the Ibn Al Haitham hotel in Basra when it was raided by British forces in the early hours of September 14 2003. He was taken into custody after they found AK47s, sub-machine guns, pistols, fake ID cards and military clothing. He died on September 15.

The Ministry of Defence agreed in July 2008 to pay £2.83 million in compensation to the families of Mr Mousa and nine other Iraqi men abused by British soldiers.

An MOD spokesman said: "More than 100,000 service personnel served in Iraq and the vast majority conducted themselves with extraordinary courage, professionalism and decency in very demanding circumstances.

"Nonetheless we acknowledge that the actions that led to the death of Baha Mousa were shameful and inexcusable.

"Lessons have been learned and much has been done since 2003 but we look forward to the inquiry's report and will look carefully at any recommendations they make."