Iraq father in bid for justice over death in custody

The father of a man allegedly murdered by British troops in Iraq will today appear in London to describe his anger and his "hope for justice" in the British courts.

Colonel Daoud Mousa's son, Baha, died in British Army custody last year after allegedly suffering "severe and repeated beatings".

Colonel Mousa will be joined at a press conference by Kifah Taha al-Mutari, one of his son's friends, who says he witnessed the assaults and was himself badly beaten by soldiers.

The two men are among 37 alleged victims of British brutality whose cases will be heard at the High Court tomorrow. Lawyers for the Iraqis will challenge the Government's refusal to hold full inquiries into their deaths, arguing that because Iraq was under occupation at the time, the Human Rights Act applies to the actions of British troops.

Colonel Mousa claims his son was "tortured to death" by British soldiers. He said: "Baha's nose and wrist were broken and there were bruises all over his body."

Mr al-Mutari says he was one of eight witnesses to Mr Mousa's treatment. Phil Shiner, solicitor for the claimants, said: "Mr al-Mutari was himself detained and was beaten so badly his kidneys failed."

If the courts rule in the Iraqis' favour, the Government is likely to face claims totalling millions of pounds. The MoD said it would robustly defend the action.