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October 16, 2005
Iraq: Top UK Military Investigator Found Dead
In a news item from the Times, a military investigator, 40-year old Captain Ken Masters, has been found dead and is believed to have committed suicide. Commanding officer of 61 Section of the Royal Military Police Special Investigations Branch (SIB). His body was discovered at his accommodation in Waterloo Lines, Basra on Saturday evening.
The Royal Military police have been charged to complete investigations of claims against British troops. These cases, which involve investigation of reports of UK troops killing civilians or abusing detainees have taken up most of the force's time, and staff are apparently stretched. Captain Masters was charged to investigate the day of September 19, when two undercover SAS men, initially and illegally arrested by police were then handed over to a militia group. The ensuing fighting which arose when rioters reacted to UK forces rescuing the men led to deaths. The Iraqi authorities in Basra have claimed that seven Iraqis were killed and 43 people were injured in the day's clashes. Of these, many were police.
Married with two children, Master's manner of death was not revealed, but it is reported that a post mortem will be held.
The Scotsman states that he had served most of his career with the Special Investigation Branch and was commissioned from the ranks in 2001. He had served with the Royal Military Police since 1981. The BBC quoted defence analyst Robert Fox who said that Captain Masters was "part of a "small outfit" and his job would have been quite stressful.
"It's pretty tough for them and it's not very comfortable doing the kind of work they have to do, particularly in the kind of heat we have seen this year."
Posted by Giraldus Cambrensis at October 16, 2005 8:51 PM
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