THE Ministry of Defence today revealed it could take up to a year to conclude a military police investigation into the death of an Iraqi prisoner.

Two soldiers from the Queens Lancashire Regiment were arrested and questioned following the death in British custody of 26-year-old hotel receptionist Baha Musa.

The family of the man, who was arrested in September, 2003, along with seven men during a weapons search, believe he was beaten and strangled. The MOD were today unable to confirm if an investigation into his death would be completed this year.

But human rights pressure group Amnesty International has demanded an independent investigation into the apparent torture of the prisoners.

Amnesty International UK Media Director Lesley Warner said: "There is an urgent need for a prompt and impartial investigation into the death in British custody of Baha' al-Maliki and other Iraqi civilians.

"In December, 2003, Amnesty sent a worldwide appeal to our members to write to Tony Blair, calling for a swift and independent inquiry.

"Amnesty has repeatedly called on the Coalition Provisional Authorities and the UK and US governments, to instigate full, independent investigations into civilian deaths and provide reparation for victims.

"The occupying powers must act fairly and be seen to act fairly. The Iraqi people must have an effective mechanism to bring complaints against soldiers who abuse their human rights. It is not enough for the army to investigate the army."

The men were all arrested on September 14 last year during a weapons search in what the Army call an "anti-terrorist and anti-criminal operation" in Basra.

An Army spokeswoman confirmed that two soldiers from the QLR had been helping military police with their inquiries as part of an ongoing investigation.

They were arrested, questioned and released pending a full investigation.

A large proportion of the QLR soldiers are from East Lancashire but it is not known where the two soldiers under investigation are from.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence added: "At the moment the Military Police Special Investigation Branch are still continuing with their investigations and have spoken to a number of people within the unit and in Iraq.

"Hopefully it will be completed this year. It is not possible for us to release any more information until their investigation has been completed.

The QLR's 620 officers and soldiers -- including more than 150 from East Lancashire -- have been responsible for security in Basra.