Three British soldiers have been charged with war crimes for the alleged abuse of Iraqi detainees.

The men from the Queen’s Lancashire Regiment are the first UK troops to be charged under the International Criminal Court Act, although they face military tribunals in Britain, rather than a trial in The Hague. Corporal Donald Payne has been accused of inhumane treatment in connection with the death of Iraqi detainee Baha Musa, who died in custody in the southern city of Basra in September 2003. Lance Corporal Wayne Crowcroft and Private Darren Fallon have been jointly charged with abusing Iraqi civilians. Eight other soldiers, including a former colonel, are due to face court martial in connection with the alleged harm of Iraqi detainees. Britain has investigated scores of deaths and injuries of Iraqis since joining the US-led invasion in 2003.

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