Written question asked by Glenda Jackson (Labour) on Tuesday, 11 May 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 10 June 2004. It was answered by Geoffrey Hoon (Labour) on Thursday, 10 June 2004 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Iraqis he estimates have been arrested by mistake since the start of the conflict.

Answer: Glenda Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Iraqis he estimates have been arrested by mistake since the start of the conflict. [173454] Mr. Hoon: When British forces apprehend people suspected of having committed a criminal offence, they are immediately handed over to the Iraq Police Service who arrest, and if appropriate, conduct a prosecution under Iraqi law. We do not hold central records of the outcome of such cases and cannot therefore estimate how many have been prosecuted or the results of such cases. In any event, the fact that an arrest does not ultimately lead to a successful prosecution does not mean that the arrest was either mistaken or unlawful.

Secondary information