Army sued for killing Iraqis

The case of 12 Iraqi civilians allegedly killed unlawfully by British troops will go to the High Court tomorrow.

Lawyers want an immediate " directions hearing" which would order the Army to preserve evidence.

The families of the Iraqis are seeking compensation and also want a full public inquiry. The development will be another blow for the Army, already on the defensive over pictures allegedly showing members of the Queen's Lancashire Regiment abusing an Iraqi prisoner. One of the claimants, the wife of Baha Mousa, 26, claims her husband was abused by men of the same regiment.

Mr Mousa, a hotel receptionist, was allegedly beaten to death last September while under interrogation. Other claimants include the relatives of Ahmad Jabber Kareem Ali, 17, who died on 8 May last year after being arrested by British troops. He was allegedly ordered to swim across the Shatt al-Basra waterway and drowned.

The case is being brought under the Human Rights Act. Phil Shiner, of the Public Interest Lawyers, which is bringing the action, said today: "My clients think it is critically important that UK armed forces cannot act with impunity and that they be made accountable for these killings."