Soldiers cleared in Iraqi murder trial

LONDON, Nov. 3 (UPI) -- Charges against seven British soldiers accused of murdering an Iraqi civilian were dismissed Thursday by a court martial when a judge ruled lack of evidence.

The victim, 18-year-old Nadhem Abdullah, allegedly died after being attacked by the soldiers in the southern town of al-Ferkah in May 2003.

The Parachute Regiment soldiers consistently denied the.

Prosecution lawyer Martin Heslop told the court that Abdullah was an "innocent" teenager who died after an "unjustified," "unprovoked" and "gratuitous" attack.

The paratroopers were pursuing a white pick-up truck when they passed a white Toyota taxi containing Abdullah and Athar Saddam, Heslop said.

They stopped the car, dragged the suspect and the driver out and attacked them with "feet, fists, helmets and rifles," he claimed.

But Judge Blackett said that much of the evidence was "too inherently weak or vague for any sensible person to rely on it."

Three women had admitted lying about being assaulted by British soldiers, while one witness had told the court that Abdullah's family encouraged others to tell lies, Judge Blackett said.

Several witnesses had used the case to seek "compensation to what were patently exaggerated claims," he said.

The court heard that witnesses had been paid $100 a day to give evidence and that some had only agreed to do so after they were told about the payment.

The trial cost the British taxpayer an estimated $17.5 million.

Liberal Democrat Defense Spokesman Michael Moore said: "The collapse of this court martial raises some very serious questions about the way cases like this are investigated and conducted.

The cleared soldiers are Corporal Scott Evans, 32, and Privates Billy Nerney, 24, Samuel May, 25, Morne Vosloo, 26, Daniel Harding, 25, Roberto Di-Gregorio, 24, and Scott Jackson, 26.