British soldier arrested over allegations of torture in Iraq


FROM ASSOCIATED PRESS

LONDON—A British soldier has been arrested over allegations of torture involving Iraqi prisoners, the Ministry of Defence said today.

The ministry said it had launched a probe following allegations, reported in a newspaper, that the soldier had a roll of camera film showing an Iraqi detainee bundled up in netting and suspended from a fork-lift truck.

The Sun newspaper also claimed that the film, which the soldier had sought to develop, showed troops performing sex acts near captured Iraqis.

"There is an investigation into these allegations," the Ministry of Defence said. "A soldier has been arrested."

Officials gave no other details, but The Sun reported that staff in a photo laboratory contacted police after the soldier handed in a roll of film to be developed. The film showed one Iraqi suspended from a fork-lift truck while bound and gagged. He was believed to be alive when the picture was taken.

The Sun said the soldier was arrested by civilian police at home in Tamworth, Staffordshire, in central England.