Iraqi’s death casts ‘dark shadow’ over British army

BRITAIN’S army said the death of an Iraqi detainee in Basra had cast a “dark shadow” over its reputation, after an inquiry found he suffered “gratuitous violence” at the hands of soldiers.

Hotel receptionist Baha Mousa, 26, was hooded, assaulted and held in stress positions along with nine other Iraqis following their detention by 1st Battalion the Queen’s Lancashire Regiment (1QLR) in September 2003, the inquiry found.

Mousa, a father of two, died 36 hours after he was arrested, after sustaining 93 injuries, including fractured ribs and a broken nose.