Soldier may face court over death of second Iraqi

A British soldier may face murder charges over the death of a second Iraqi civilian at the hands of troops, it emerged today.

Scotland Yard's homicide squad has been called in to examine the case of Hassan Abbad Said, who was shot while being arrested in the British zone of southern Iraq in August.

It follows the case of 26-year-old hotel worker Basa Mousa, who was allegedly beaten to death by British soldiers last year. Mr Mousa's case is in the hands of army prosecutors. But the probe into Mr Said's killing has progressed further. The Army Prosecuting Authority, which first examined the case, was so concerned it referred it to the Attorney-General, Lord Goldsmith.

He passed it on to the Crown Prosecution Service, which asked the Metropolitan Police serious crime directorate to hunt for more clues.

The Ministry of Defence refused to reveal the name or regiment of the British soldier under investigation.

Mr Said, whose age and occupation are unknown, is one of 15 Iraqi civilians to have died in the British-occupied zone. The Special Investigation Branch concluded eight died in road accidents, from natural causes, or were killed by British troops acting in accordance with rules of engagement. The seven continuing probes include those into the deaths of Mr Said and Mr Mousa.

Plaid Cymru MP Adam Price, who has pursued the MoD in Parliament over deaths of Iraqi civilians, said: "We know almost nothing about the circumstances of Mr Said's death but there is obviously a very serious case to answer."