Britons storm Iraqi prison

Arrests a test of nation’s sovereignty Governor calls attack ‘barbaric, savage’

BASRA, IRAQ—

British armoured vehicles broke down the walls of the central jail in this southern city yesterday and freed two British soldiers, allegedly undercover commandos arrested for shooting two Iraqi policemen, witnesses said. But London said the two men were released as a result of negotiations. The showdown in Basra, 550 kilometres south of Baghdad, began early yesterday when local authorities reported arresting the two Britons, described as special forces commandos dressed in Arab clothing, for allegedly shooting two Iraqi policemen, one of whom died.

British armour then encircled the jail where the two Britons were held.

Television cameramen from Arab satellite broadcasters in the Persian Gulf were allowed to photograph the two men, who were sitting on the jail floor with their hands tied behind their backs. One of the men had a bandage covering most of the top of his head, the other had blood on his clothes.

Outside the jail, a melee broke out in the streets as angry demonstrators attacked the encircling British armour with stones and Molotov cocktails. During the chaos, one British soldier could be seen scrambling for his life from a burning Warrior armoured personnel carrier and the rock- throwing mob.

Press Association, the British