Iraqi PM orders probe of raid on Basra prison

BASRA, Iraq, Mar 4 (Reuters) Iraq's prime minister called for an investigation into a raid by Iraqi and British forces in Basra today that the British military said found evidence of torture at an intelligence agency detention centre.

The British military said the raid on the National Iraqi Intelligence Agency detention facility in central Basra was part of an operation led by Iraqi counter-terrorist forces who were seeking a ''known death squad leader'' at the prison.

But Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, a Shi'ite Islamist who has vowed to crack down on militias blamed for sectarian killings, issued a statement criticising the operation.

''The Prime Minister has ordered a prompt investigation into the incident of breaking into the security complex headquarters in Basra and he affirmed the need to punish those who have carried out this unlawful and irresponsible act,'' it said.

A British military statement said the intelligence agency facility was not deliberately targeted and was only entered because of information gained in raids in the preceding hours.

''It was therefore not possible for either the Iraqi units or multinational forces to pre-warn the relevant provincial authorities,'' it said, adding that Iraqi troops entered with ''appropriately robust'' force because of the high threat.

''During the operation, Iraqi forces discovered around 30 prisoners, including a woman and two children, who were being held, and many of whom showed signs of torture and abuse.'' It said Iraqi forces broke down locked doors, leading to the escape of a number of prisoners. It rejected reports that Iraqi forces deliberately released the prisoners. ''Nonetheless it is regrettable that these individuals escaped from custody.'' ''Prime Minister Maliki has been clear that no individual can be above the law and that law enforcement must be free of political interference,'' Major David Gell, a British military spokesman, said.

''It was within this direction that multinational forces supported the operation yesterday evening.'' SHI'ITE MILITIAS Shi'ite militias vying for control of the oil-rich city are suspected of infiltrating police in Basra and it is not the first time British-backed raids have targeted police facilities.

There was no immediate information on Sunday's raid from Iraqi security forces involved, and the spokesman for the Interior Ministry, which controls the police, could not immediately be reached for comment.

Earlier, officials at the detention centre, part of a police compound in the city, said 37 prisoners were freed in the raid.

They showed reporters offices that had been searched, with files thrown on the floor, desks overturned and doors broken open.

Gell said five suspects were detained in the earlier raids that provided intelligence on the prison. He said around 100 multinational forces were involved in a supporting role.

He could not confirm any arrests at the detention facility, but said the five suspects arrested earlier were involved in kidnapping, torture, murder and bomb attacks.

''It was clearly a very successful operation,'' Gell said.

''It's a clear demonstration of Iraqis taking responsibility for security and obviously a very positive sign.'' In December, British forces blew up the headquarters of the police serious crimes unit in Basra in a raid to rescue prisoners they said were about to be killed.

Reuters SRS VP0215