In February 2008 Phil Shiner of Public Interest Lawyers (PIL) and Martyn Day of Leigh Day & Co set out their concerns that there was considerable evidence to suggest that the British Army could have been involved in the deaths in custody of a number of Iraqis following a battle outside a small town called Majar, to the north of Basra.
On Friday 17 October Mr Justice Scott Baker ordered that, on PIL's application, a three week Divisional Court hearing will start on or about Tuesday, 21 April 2009 to consider amongst other issues:
- Whether or not there should be an independent inquiry into the events surrounding the deaths
- Whether or not the Royal Military Police, who have been conducting an inquiry into the deaths is independent
- The legality of the detention of some nine Iraqi detainees who were present at the British Army base during the period when the alleged deaths took place.
The Judge ordered that there be live examination and cross-examination of various military witnesses. Martyn Day said today:-
'From when we first met the Iraqi detainees from Majar in Istanbul earlier this year Phil Shiner and I have been determined that no stone should be left unturned when it comes to getting to the truth of what happened. I am delighted that PIL and their counsel have been able to persuade the Court that this hearing should take place which will be a very good start to that process. Hopefully this will result in the full inquiry that is so very important to either bring justice for the Iraqis or clear the name of the British Army. Either way it is an inquiry that needs to happen.'
For more information please contact
Martyn Day on 020 7650 1200.
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