LONDON, July 3: Britain said on Sunday it had raised “at the highest levels” in Iraq its concern over allegations that Iraqi security forces have tortured insurgents held for interrogation.

Britain’s Observer newspaper said it had seen photographic evidence of post-mortem and hospital examinations of suspected insurgents in Iraq showing serious abuse of suspects including burnings, strangulation and the breaking of limbs.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said it had become aware of the allegations of abuse in April and had raised its concerns with the Iraqi government at that time.

He said the Iraqi government was investigating.

“As soon as we became aware of these allegations we raised them formally with the Iraqi government at the highest levels,” the spokesman said.

“Iraq is a sovereign state and it is for them to deal with this. However the multinational force condemns illegal activity and we would expect the Iraqi police to do the same,” he added.

The Observer said it had uncovered “compelling evidence” of widespread use of violent interrogation techniques by Iraq police commando units including hanging by the arms, burning, beatings, the use of electric shocks and sexual abuse.

The paper said a network of secret detention centres had been established across the country where detainees were being tortured away from the scrutiny of human rights organisations.

Britain’s Foreign Office said any abuse of detainees was unacceptable.

“We are aware and deeply concerned by reports of detainee abuse by Iraqi police officers and of men in police uniforms committing serous crimes,” a Foreign Office spokesman said.

“As soon as we become aware of any allegations of abuse we raise them at the highest levels in Baghdad and Basra.

“We would expect them to publish the findings of any investigations, prosecute those found to have carried out any abuse, punish those found guilty and take all steps to prevent any recurrence.”—Reuters