LONDON: United Kingdom's Ministry of Defence has paid out 14 million pound sterling (around USD 22 million) in compensation to hundreds of Iraqis who complained that they were illegally detained and tortured by British forces during the five-year occupation of the south-east of the country.
According to the British daily (the Guardian), the ministry paid a total of 8.3 million pound sterling (around USD 12 million) to 162 Iraqis this year.
However, the ministry kept insisting its forces have shown best performances during their service in Iraq. "Over 120,000 British troops have served in Iraq and the vast majority have conducted themselves with the highest standards of integrity and professionalism," A spokesperson at the ministry of defense said.
"All allegations of abuse will always be investigated thoroughly. We will compensate victims of abuse where it is right to do so and seek to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice," he added. (QNA)
