Detainees ‘were suspected in killings of military police’

NINE Iraqis allegedly abused by British soldiers were believed to be linked to the massacre of six Royal Military Police three months before their ordeal, a court was told yesterday.

Seven soldiers are standing trial on charges relating to the alleged abuse of the civilian detainees, suspected insurgents, following their arrest in Basra in September 2003. One of the prisoners, Baha Musa, aged 26, died.

Prosecutor Julian Bevan QC yesterday outlined various factors which may have led to hostility between the soldiers and their detainees.