Iraqi family demand murder inquiry

The family of an Iraqi civilian shot dead by US marines while holding a white flag has written to George Bush asking him to investigate his "murder".

Tariq al-Amari was shot by a Marine sniper as he left his house to investigate the screams of a child injured by US soldiers moments earlier.

His family's call for an inquiry comes as concerns grow over a "shoot now, ask questions later" mentality among US troops in Iraq.

Soldiers have said they are often attacked by guerrilla fighters dressed as civilians. But witnesses say that at no stage did Mr Al-Amari present a threat to US forces.

His family told how after hearing screams from Zahra Samir, five, outside his house in the Baghdad suburb of Adhamiya, Mr Al-Amari put a white cloth on a broom handle to create a white flag.

But as he stepped onto his balcony he was shot in the heart with a bullet from a sniper's high-powered rifle.

Zahra was carried to the US compound only 40 metres away. She was treated for head injuries and is now back at home.

Father-of-five Mr Al-Amari, 47, was one of seven civilians killed by troops of Alpha Company, of 1st Brigade, US 5th Marines, in Adhamiya on 10 April, the day after the US took full control of Baghdad. Several families, including the Al-Amaris, are to lodge a complaint with US military command in Baghdad.

Tariq's younger brother Sadiq said: "We believe it was murder." His letter to Mr Bush states: "We were so happy for your military to occupy Iraq and free us from Saddam. But the pleasure was not complete because ... my brother was shot in the heart.

"Sir, I am asking myself why this happened. He was a family man, not carrying a gun, he was not a fighter. Can you help me have an answer?" On the day Mr Al-Amari was shot, 20 marines were injured by heavy fire from Saddam loyalists.

In response, witnesses said, snipers fired at anything that moved and an Alpha Company commander was heard telling his men: "You can shoot anyone. . . and no one can touch you."

Mr Al-Amari's family says that, with the US position 120 metres from his door, a sniper with a telescopic sight should have seen he was no threat.

In a chilling warning, Sadiq told the Standard that unless the family got a satisfactory answer, it would be forced to kill an American in revenge.