British soldier will not face charges for fake abuse photos News
British soldier will not face charges for fake abuse photos

[JURIST] Britain’s Ministry of Defense (MOD) [official website] announced Friday that a soldier arrested in May 2004 [JURIST report] in connection with fake photos of Iraqi prisoner abuse published in the UK's Daily Mirror newspaper will not face charges. The crown prosecution service felt that there was insufficient evidence and an unrealistic prospect of convicting Private Stuart Mackenzie for obtaining property by deception. Military court martial proceedings [JURIST report] that had been started against Mackenzie were suspended earlier this year. The photos that appeared to depict British troops abusing an Iraqi detainee sparked immediate doubts about their authenticity and the Royal Military Police [official website] quickly launched an investigation. The Daily Mirror published a front-page apology and fired editor Piers Morgan [JURIST report] in May 2004 after the fakery was revealed. The Guardian has more.