Baha Mousa death inquiry hears horrific catalogue of abuses against Iraqi prisoners

[IndianaGreen]

Baha Mousa death inquiry hears horrific catalogue of abuses against Iraqi prisoners

Monday 13 July 2009
by Adrian Roberts

A Video of a British soldier screaming abuse at hooded Iraqi detainees has been played at the public inquiry into the brutal death of hotel receptionist Baha Mousa.

The footage shows Corporal Donald Payne, formerly of the Queen's Lancashire Regiment, shouting and swearing at the Iraqis, including Mr Mousa, as they are forced to maintain painful "stress positions."

Mr Mousa died while in the custody of the British soldiers in Basra, southern Iraq, on September 15 2003.

The inquiry heard that he died after a struggle with Cpl Payne and another soldier, Private Aaron Cooper.

Gerard Elias QC, counsel to the inquiry, pictured below, said witnesses implied that Cpl Payne was trying to restrain Mr Mousa by putting his knee on the detainee's back and pulling his arm back to put plastic handcuffs on him.

"It has been suggested that Baha Mousa's head was banged on the floor or wall as this was happening," he said.

Different pathologists gave the cause of Mr Mousa's death as either asphyxia and multiple injuries or asphyxia alone, the inquiry heard.

http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/index.php/britain/baha_mousa_death_inquiry_hears_horrific_catalogue_of_abuses_against_iraqi_prisoners

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