British troops "tortured" Iraqis: report

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http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1504&ncid=1504&e=4&u=/afp/20040621/ts_afp/britain_iraq_torture_040621060331

LONDON (AFP) - Iraqis were "tortured" by British troops who killed some 20 in fighting at Al-Majar al-Kebir in the south of the country on May 14, the Guardian reported, citing death certificates drawn up by the town's hospital.


Of 22 certificates issued by hospital director Dr Adel Salid Majid, a copy of which was obtained by the newspaper, seven reported signs of "mutilation" and "torture".


The daily gave details of the cases:


Ahmad al Helfi, a 19-year-old casual labourer, is described as having "several bullet injuries to the body, with blueness of the left eye and a cut-wound by a sharp tool on the right arm. In addition, there are signs of beating and torturing all over the body."


Haider al Lami, 21, also a casual labourer, had "several bullet injuries to the body, with mutilation of genitalia". His penis had been "severed".

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