The family of an Iraqi civilian who was allegedly beaten to death by British troops has won a court challenge against the British government's refusal to order an inquiry into his death.
The test case of Baha Mousa was hailed by rights activists as a victory in their campaign for accountability for troops involved in the US-led occupation of Iraq.
"Today is an historic day for human rights and the rule of law in the UK," said Mr Phil Shiner, a solicitor representing Mr Mousa's family.
However, the London High Court rejected similar appeals by families of five other Iraqis who also died in the UK-controlled zone around the southern city of Basra. They plan to appeal.
Mr Mousa (26) was detained during a September 2003 raid on a hotel in Basra and returned dead to his family four days later. Lawyers say he had been severely beaten.
During the High Court case, an Iraqi witness and colleague of Mousa alleged laughing British soldiers abused detainees by beating and kicking them, pouring freezing water on their heads and punishing them if they failed to recite names of English and Dutch football stars.
The Ministry of Defence had said it was "robustly" contesting the Iraqis' central arguments that the European Convention on Human Rights should apply to UK soldiers and that the military's internal investigations were inadequate.
The ministry had no immediate response to today's ruling.
Agencies