Judge Rules In British War Crimes Case

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Feb 13, 12:08 PM EST
Judge Rules in British War Crimes Case

By THOMAS WAGNER
Associated Press Writer

BULFORD, England (AP) -- A judge issued a ruling Tuesday in the case of seven British soldiers accused of mistreating Iraqi civilians, but he ordered the verdict not be reported until it is read to a military board of officers acting as a jury.

Justice Stuart McKinnon deliberated dismissing or modifying charges against the men, who were tried for allegedly mistreating Iraqis, including a hotel worker who died while in custody. Three of the soldiers were charged with the war crime of inhumane treatment of prisoners.

McKinnon was expected to read his verdict to the jury Wednesday. Parts of his ruling issued Tuesday could be considered prejudicial to some of the defendants if the charges remain and the court-martial continues at the army base, 85 miles southwest of London.

The case has tarnished the image of Britain's military with accusations of war crimes. One of the defendants, Cpl. Donald Payne, 35, pleaded guilty to the charge of inhumanely treating Iraqi civilians, making him the first British soldier to plead guilty to a war crime under international law.

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