British soldiers may face charges over drowning of Iraqi teen

Three soldiers, one a decorated major, may face charges over the drowning of a 15-year-old Iraqi boy in Basra in 2003 despite being acquitted of manslaughter in 2006 in a closed hearing.

In a report released this month by the Iraq Fatality Investigations (IFI) a senior British judge said it was “plain and certain” that the soldiers were responsible for Ahmed Jabbar Kareem Ali’s death.

It was initially thought that they would not face charges but in light of new evidence that reveals two witnesses lied and were paid for their testimonies, the soldiers could be charged.

If the charges go ahead they will be the first servicemen to be prosecuted as a consequence of criminal investigations conducted by the Iraq Historic Allegations Team (Ihat), which is pursuing some 1,500 allegations of abuse carried out by British troops against Iraqi civilians.

John Mercer, chairman of a parliamentary defence committee has called the investigation a betrayal and a defence. The Guardian newspaper revealed today that when he was Prime Minister David Cameron tried to close Ihat down.

The soldiers forced Ali into the Shatt Al-Basra canal in May 2003, along with three other Iraqis, after accusing them of looting. Ali struggled in the water the soldiers watched him drown.