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Home  » News » Iraq abuse: 2 UK soldiers guilty

Iraq abuse: 2 UK soldiers guilty

February 24, 2005 11:58 IST
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Two British soldiers have been found guilty of abusing Iraqi civilians, while a third has been convicted of failing to report the mistreatment.

L/Cpl Mark Cooley, 25 and Cpl Daniel Kenyon, 33, both members of 1 Bn the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, will be sentenced Friday.

They face being stripped of their rank, jail up to two years and dishonourable discharge from the Army.

L/Cpl Darren Larkin, 30 admitted assaulting an Iraqi  by standing on him, and faces being stripped of his rank, six months imprisonment, and being discharged in disgrace.

US army admits Afghan abuse

The military trial was held at a British base in the German city of Osnabrueck.

The incidents took place after British troops rounded up looters at a depot in the Iraqi city of Basra.

Evidence of the abuse emerged after a fourth soldier took a series of photographs to be developed at his local photo shop in England, and a shop employee contacted the police.

"Anyone with a shred of decency would be revolted by what is contained in those pictures," The Independent quoted Judge Advocate Michael Hunter as saying.

"The actions of you and those responsible for these acts have undoubtedly tarnished the international reputation of the British Army and to some extent the British nation too, and it will no doubt hamper the efforts of those who are now risking their lives striving to achieve stability in the Gulf region, and it will probably be used by those who are working against such ends.''

 

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