Danish nurses saw mistreatment of Iraqis by British troops
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-05-14 09:23

Two Danish paramedics have reported seeing the results of abusive treatment inflicted by British soldiers on two Iraqis, one of whom was said to have died as a result of injuries sustained during questioning, the Danish defence ministry announced.

The assistant nurses were working in the British military hospital in Iraq's southern capital Basra when they were asked to treat the two Iraqis who had been brought to the hospital after allegedly enduring brutal treatment at the hand of their British interrogators.

One of the Iraqis later succumbed to his injuries, according to the Danish witnesses.

The Danish paramedics had reported the matter to a Danish army legal adviser but news of the incident only reached the Danish Defence Ministry on Thursday, the ministry said.

Defence Minister Soeren Gade has asked the Danish chief of staff to explain the delay in relaying the information.

The ministry said that a British investigation was underway.

The British military authorities "have agreed to provide any information necessary to completely clarify this matter," the minister added.

The British Ministry of Defence told AFP in London: "We believe that the case referred to by the Danish foreign minister is that of Baha Mousa, who died last year in Basra.

"An investigation has already been launched by the Royal Military Police and it would not be appropriate to comment further."

Mousa is 28-year-old man seized at hotel last September and allegedly beaten to death by British troops.

Earlier this month Gade strongly condemned the reported abuse of Iraqi prisoners by US and British troops.

"I vigorously condemn these acts of abuse reported with photos and in media images showing... inexcusable... abuse of Iraqi prisoners by American soldiers and perhaps British soldiers," Gade said then.