The BBC and the Sunday Times last week alleged that the British Government had covered up the killing of civillians in Iraq and Afghanistan after interviewing 11 detectives involved with the Iraq Historic Allegations Team (IHAT) and Operation Northmoor (a similar investigation into British conduct in Afghanistan). The detectives claimed to have found credible evidence of war crimes although the Service Prosecuting Authority decided not to prosecute. The 'failure to investigate' may now lead the International Criminal Court to open its own enquiry into the conduct of the British Army. Full details can be found here.
The issue of war crimes investigations is particularly sensitive in the UK following the Al-Sweady inquiry and the striking off of controversial lawyer Phil Shiner who pursued a vast number of baseless claims agains the Ministry of Defence. Unquestionably this will be one to watch on both the domestic and international stage.
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