I agree that abuse of people in Iraq is not acceptable. Thing is though with this case they have not disclosed what (if anything) was going on before the beatings took place. For all we know they could have been stoning the patrol, threatened the patrol with a weapon or made verbal threats. Before condemming this soldiers we need the full facts!

source:Yahoo News

Military police investigating a video apparently showing British troops abusing Iraqi teenagers have arrested a fourth soldier. The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that the soldier is being interviewed in connection with the incident. An inquiry was launched last month when footage showing what appeared to be young Iraqis being punched, kicked and headbutted by British soldiers was published.

The video was shot in the town of al Amarah in southern Iraq, in 2004. In it, a group of up to 10 soldiers dragged a number of young Iraqis into their base after a street riot.

The soldiers involved are thought to have been associated with the 1st Battalion, Light Infantry, who were based in the area at the time.

An MoD spokesman said: “There is an investigation going on at the moment. The Royal Military Police need time to conduct a thorough investigation to identify all those involved and failings that might have occurred.”

He added: “British soldiers are expected to uphold the highest standards of behaviour, but they also deserve the same rights as British citizens.

“This means they remain innocent until proven guilty and they do not lose that right because they serve in uniform.”