Two Iraqis to stand trial over Red Cap murders

It is more than seven years since the Red Caps were murdered when a mob of about 400 people attacked a police station in Majar al-Kabir, southern Iraq.

Relatives of those killed have fought a long campaign for those responsible to be brought to justice.

Iraqi officials issued arrest warrants in 2006 but there was little progress in the case until eight people were taken into custody in February this year.

Six later walked free, leaving two to stand trial at the central criminal court in Baghdad, starting today.

John Hyde, whose son Lance Corporal Benjamin Hyde, 23, was one of the victims, voiced frustration that the defendants face a prison sentence of only up to 10 years if found guilty.

He said UK Government rules meant the British authorities could not assist the Iraqi investigation until they were assured that those on trial would not receive the death penalty.

Mr Hyde, of Northallerton, North Yorkshire, said: "I don't think any of us feel that that's justice. But I find it difficult to get emotional about it because it's just part of an ongoing thing.

"It's been going on for seven years now. There are still eight arrest warrants outstanding, so it could go on for another seven years."

The families have also expressed concerns about how they will be kept informed about what happens at the trial.

They were originally told they could travel to Iraq for the hearings but it was later decided this was too dangerous.

British officials then said efforts would be made to set up a videolink beaming live images from the court back to the UK but this proved impossible.

Instead the relatives will receive e-mail updates via the British Embassy in Baghdad and the Ministry of Defence about how the trial progresses.

"It's a long way from what we were originally told would happen," Mr Hyde said.

He welcomed the start of the trial, saying: "It's progress but it's slow progress."

He added: "Nothing that happens is ever going to make me and my wife feel any different to what we feel today and will feel next week.

"Nothing is going to make any difference to that. This trial is just another part in an ongoing process."

The Red Caps had been training local Iraqi officers when the police station came under attack on June 24, 2003.

An inquest in March 2006 heard that some of their bodies were found riddled with bullets, while others had marks that suggested they had been dragged, tied up or beaten with rifles.

Coroner Nicholas Gardiner recorded a narrative verdict of unlawful killing, saying the six soldiers should have been better equipped but their deaths could not have been avoided.

The other victims were Sgt Simon Hamilton-Jewell, 41, from Chessington, Surrey; Cpl Russell Aston, 30, from Swadlincote, Derbyshire; Cpl Paul Long, 24, of South Shields, Tyne and Wear; L/Cpl Tom Keys, 20, from Bala, North Wales; and Cpl Simon Miller, 21, from Washington, Tyne and Wear.