Britain's Breaking Abu Ghraib Scandal
Various | 12.02.2006 20:21
Nigel Parry, Electronic Iraq, 12 February 2006
In a shocking video obtained by the British newspaper, News of the World, shot in 2004 by an approving British Corporal who shouts encouragement during the minute long footage, British troops inside a military compound in Iraq are seen savagely beating Iraqi children who had been throwing stones at the base.
The February 12th article, "Shamed By 42 Brainless Blows" reports that "The video — later shown to the corporal's pals at their home base in Europe — was exposed to the News of the World by a disgusted whistleblower."
The News of the World reports that the Corporal's video depicts:
...at least eight of his hulking comrades cruelly:
DRAGGING four weedy rioters—all apparently in their early teens—off the street and behind the high walls of a secluded army compound,
BEATING them senseless with vicious blows from batons, boots and fists,
IGNORING their pitiful pleas for mercy, until the incident climaxes with what appears to be an NCO delivering a sickening full-force kick in the genitals of a cringeing lad pinned to the ground.
All the while the callous cameraman delivers a stomach-churning commentary urging his mates on, cackling with laughter and screaming: "Oh yes! Oh yes! You're gonna get it. Yes, naughty little boys! You little f***ers, you little f***ers. DIE! Ha, ha!"
The video is believed to have been shot in 2004 in Southern Iraq and, according to the newspaper's investigation, shows no less than 42 blows—kicks, baton hits, punches, and headbuts— all accompanied by a sickening commentary by the Corporal videotaping the incident.
The News of the World reported that the newspaper "handed our dossier of evidence to the Ministry of Defence. A Military Police([search]) investigation is now under way."
Britain has dramatically found itself in its own breaking Abu Ghraib Scandal.
Scenes from the video
http://electroniciraq.net/news/2268.shtml
Video shows British troops brutally beating Iraqi children inside military compound. Video shows corpse.
A video, obtained by the News of the World and shown on BBC TV on 11 February 2006, shows a group of British soldiers brutally beating and kicking defenceless Iraqi teenagers in an army compound.
According to The Guardian: 'There appears to be little doubt on the part of officials that it is genuine footage.' http://www.guardian.co.uk/military/story/0,,1708161,00.html
Managing editor of the News of the World, Stuart Kuttner said of the video: "we've satisfied ourselves that this an absolutely genuine article." http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4705482.stm
The footage shows eight soldiers pulling four teenagers off the street and dragging them into their army base, before beating them with batons, as well as punching and kicking them.
The Ministry of Defence issued the following statement: 'We are aware of these very serious allegations and can confirm that they are the subject of an urgent Royal Military Police investigation.'
The video footage was given to the News of the World by a whistleblower.
There have been investigations by MoD prosecutors into a series of serious allegations of abuse by its troops in southern Iraq.
The video was shot from a rooftop in secret by a corporal.
In one of the most brutal scenes, a soldier punches one of the prisoners in the head and the stomach. He is then headbutted and kicked further.
Another scene shows a soldier walking up to one of the boys and kicking him hard between the legs from behind. The boy is seen doubling up in pain.
In some of the worst footage, a prisoner is kicked in the back and the body six times by two soldiers. As he struggles on the floor, one of the soldiers grabs him again by the shoulder, kicks him twice and then begins to hit him on the legs with a baton.
The video also shows footage of a soldier drawing back the blanket over an Iraqi corpse to display it close up to the camera as if it is a trophy.
The informant is quoted as saying: 'These Iraqis were just kids. Most haven't even got shoes on.'
The informant said the video had been shown by the corporal's friends at their home base in Europe. One of those colleagues reported its contents to the tabloid newspaper.
The film is understood to have been taken in early 2004
During the footage, the cameraman - filming from a rooftop - can be clearly heard encouraging his colleagues to abuse the four young prisoners. The cameraman is heard laughing and saying: "Oh yes! Oh Yes! You're gonna get it. Yes, naughty little boys. You little f***ers, you little f***ers. Die. Ha Ha."
The attacks appear to be led by a sergeant.
http://aangirfan.blogspot.com/2006/02/video-shows-british-troops-brutally.html
Exclusive: Brutal & British caught on video
http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/armyvideo.shtml
Blair promises Iraq 'abuse' probe
Tony Blair has said claims of abuse by soldiers "will be investigated" after images that appeared to show UK troops beating Iraqi youths were published.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4705482.stm
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