British soldier pleads guilty to Iraq “war crime” charge

London- A British soldier accused of war crimes pleaded guilty to the “inhumane treatment” of Iraqi civilians at the opening of a court martial Tuesday. Corporal Donald Payne, 35, of the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, pleaded guilty to the charge at the start of the military trial of seven British soldiers at Bulford Camp, near Salisbury, south-west Britain.

Payne however denied manslaughter and perverting the course of justice.

Six other soldiers have pleaded not guilty to charges relating to the death of Iraqi Baha Mousa, 26, while he was in custody in Basra in 2003.

The court martial marks the first time that British servicemen are being prosecuted for war crimes under the International Criminal Court Act (ICCA) 2001.

Three of the men, including Payne, are charged with inhumane treatment, introduced as a war crime under the ICCA.

The charges against all the defendants - including two officers - relate to the death in custody of Mousa, and to the ill-treatment of other detainees.

The trial is expected to last four months.

© 2006 DPA - Deutsche Presse-Agenteur