Written question asked by Tom Cox (Labour) on Thursday, 8 July 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 1 September 2004. It was answered by Adam Ingram (Labour) on Wednesday, 1 September 2004 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Iraqi prisoners held by United Kingdom forces in Iraq since the invasion have been released from custody without charge; and if he will make a statement. - Including figure.

Answer: Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Iraqi prisoners held by United Kingdom forces in Iraq since the invasion have been released from custody without charge; and if he will make a statement. [183962] Mr. Ingram: Up to the transition of authority on 28 June, British forces had the authority to intern people for imperative reasons of security in accordance with Article 78 of Geneva Convention IV. Since the 28 June, the authority to intern remains but it is in accordance with UNSCR 1546. In addition, British forces have the authority temporarily to detain people believed to have committed a crime under Iraqi law, who are then handed over to the Iraqi judicial system. It is the Iraqi authorities who are empowered to bring criminal charges. In total, some 3,000 individuals have been either released as former Prisoners of War or internees judged no longer to pose a threat, or passed to the Iraqi authorities as suspected criminals.

Secondary information