Father of slain Iraqi demands meeting with UK prime minister

The father of Baha Mousa, the Iraqi civilian beaten to death by British troops in 2003, has demanded a meeting with the British prime minister after accusing the UK Ministry of Defense (MoD) of trying to prevent a full investigation into the case. Des Browne, the Secretary of State for Defense, last week admitted to human rights abuses in the case. Baha Mousa, 26, a hotel worker, died after sustaining 93 injuries while held in detention by British soldiers. Nine other Iraqi civilians who were also beaten while in custody at the same time have alleged that they were tortured, hooded, deprived of sleep and urinated upon. The case saw six soldiers cleared of all charges in a court martial last year. The judge advocate said that there had been "a more or less obvious closing of ranks." One soldier, Corporal Donald Payne, was jailed for a year after admitting inhumane treatment. On Mar. 27, Browne admitted that human rights breaches had occurred in the case, and agreed to pay compensation which could reach millions of dollars. However, lawyers acting in the case are angry that part of that deal is to deny any further investigation into exactly what happened. The MoD states that in view of its admission that Mousa was exposed to torture, inhuman and degrading treatment, and died from his injuries, "the court will not be invited or required to make findings as to precisely what happened whilst the deceased was in custody." Speaking from Basra through the solicitors Leigh Day, Colonel Dawood Mousa, Baha Mousa's father, said: "I'm sure that the Ministry of Defense has taken this stand to cover the truth and protect the individuals who killed my son. My aim is to seek the truth and this should openly come out through the British courts. All the documents which can throw light on what happened to my son should be disclosed.... My son died at the hands of British soldiers. The British Prime Minister is answerable to the family to provide an explanation as to how this came about." The MoD is also facing further legal action relating to allegations of abuse in Iraq. The family of 16-year-old Kareem Ali is suing the MoD over claims that he drowned after being forced to swim a canal by British troops.