Hussein Julood says the burning of gas at a BP-run oil field in Iraq caused his son's leukaemia
BBC. Hussein Julood is seeking compensation for the loss of his son.
A father has started legal action against UK oil giant BP over the death of his 21-year-old son.
Hussein Julood alleges the burning off of gas at a BP-run oil field in Iraq - a practise known as flaring - caused his son Ali's leukaemia.
The case is believed to be the first time an individual has started legal action against a major oil firm over its flaring practices.
The claim letter - which has been seen by BBC News - alleges that Ali's leukaemia and subsequent death was caused by "Toxic emissions from the Rumaila oilfield", and that BP is partly responsible as the lead contractor.
Speaking to the BBC, Ali's father said: "It was a very sad year for the family. For me, his mother, and his brothers too. Ali was an unforgettable person, he was my backbone, I depended on him in my work, my life, and in everything in the house. All the days we live are sad.".
The Iraqi government is the owner of the Rumaila oil field but BP is the lead contractor for managing the site with partners PetroChina, in a consortium called Rumaila Operating Organisation.
Although the activity happened in Iraq, Mr Julood is able to bring the claim in the UK courts because BP's headquarters is in the UK.In response to BBC's request for comment, BP said: "As we have stated before, BP is not and has never been the operator of the Rumaila field. Nevertheless, we continue to actively support the lead contractor - Basra Energy Company Limited - in its work to help the operator of the field, the Rumaila Operating Organisation, to reduce its flaring and emissions."
Last year, after the BBC documentary was aired, and just a week after Ali's death, Mr Julood addressed the BP board at the company's Annual General Meeting and asked it to stop gas flaring.
The deadly impact of the oil giants' toxic air pollution on children and the planet is revealed in this BBC News Arabic investigation from the front line of climate change in Iraq.The documentary is available to watch now on BBC iPlayer and internationally on the BBC website.