Britain's Breaking Abu Ghraib Scandal

News & Analysis: Britain's Breaking Abu Ghraib Scandal

News & Analysis
Britain's Breaking Abu Ghraib Scandal

Nigel Parry, Electronic Iraq

12 February 2006

In a shocking video obtained by the British newspaper, News of the World, shot in 2004 by an approving British Corporal who shouts encouragement during the minute long footage, British troops inside a military compound in Iraq are seen savagely beating Iraqi children who had been throwing stones at the base.

The February 12th article, "Shamed By 42 Brainless Blows" reports that "The video — later shown to the corporal's pals at their home base in Europe — was exposed to the News of the World by a disgusted whistleblower."

The News of the World reports that the Corporal's video depicts:

...at least eight of his hulking comrades cruelly:

DRAGGING four weedy rioters—all apparently in their early teens—off the street and behind the high walls of a secluded army compound,

BEATING them senseless with vicious blows from batons, boots and fists,

IGNORING their pitiful pleas for mercy, until the incident climaxes with what appears to be an NCO delivering a sickening full-force kick in the genitals of a cringeing lad pinned to the ground.

All the while the callous cameraman delivers a stomach-churning commentary urging his mates on, cackling with laughter and screaming: "Oh yes! Oh yes! You're gonna get it. Yes, naughty little boys! You little f***ers, you little f***ers. DIE! Ha, ha!"


The video is believed to have been shot in 2004 in Southern Iraq and, according to the newspaper's investigation, shows no less than 42 blows—kicks, baton hits, punches, and headbuts— all accompanied by a sickening commentary by the Corporal videotaping the incident.

The News of the World reported that the newspaper "handed our dossier of evidence to the Ministry of Defence. A Military Police investigation is now under way."

Britain has dramatically found itself in its own breaking Abu Ghraib Scandal.

Scenes from the video









Related Links
# Shamed by 42 Brainless Blows, News of the World
# View the Video (graphic and disturbing)

Nigel Parry is a co-founder of the Electronic Intifada and Electronic Iraq.