Judge Demands Comment Cease on Iraqi Abuse Trial

[Judi Lynn]

Judge Demands Comment Cease on Iraqi Abuse Trial
Thu Jan 20, 2005 01:01 PM ET

By James Mackenzie
OSNABRUECK, Germany (Reuters) - The judge in the court martial of three British soldiers accused of abusing and sexually humiliating Iraqi detainees urged public figures on Thursday to avoid commenting on the case.

His appeal follows statements this week by army chief Sir Mike Jackson and Prime Minister Tony Blair, who described as "shocking and appalling" photographs shown in court including naked Iraqis apparently being forced to simulate sex acts.

"I would like to make an appeal that no public statements be made with regard to this trial," Judge Advocate Michael Hunter told the court, although he made clear he was not singling out Blair or any other figure.

Hunter said there were some circumstances when comment might be appropriate and that the gravity of the charges meant some comment was probably inevitable, but he urged great restraint.
(snip/...)

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=7385154

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Britain rocked by pictures of apparent Iraq abuse
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-01-19 14:52


Britain's newspapers published pictures on Wednesday of Iraqis apparently being abused by British soldiers under "Shame" and "Shock" headlines, in echoes of the Abu Ghraib scandal as a court martial rocked the country.

Some of the front-page pictures showed naked Iraqi prisoners appearing to be forced to simulate anal and other sexual acts, while in another a soldier had his fist raised above a bound detainee who had a net over his torso.

"They are pictures to make us sick with shame," said the top-selling Sun tabloid, as newspapers and opposition politicians warned of long-term damage to the image of Britain's military hours after the court martial of three soldiers began.

The Times said the pictures would "provoke outrage in the Arab world and sully the reputation of the British Army."
(snip/...)



http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-01/19/content_410429.htm

[David__77]

1. Again they complain about the pictures but not the torture they portray...

...the elites in the US and UK care nothing for the people of Iraq, only their ability to bamboozle people by pretending to care for "human rights." Fascists with a democratic face.